Hungary’s Delay Hinders Sweden’s NATO Membership, Turkey Ratifies
Sweden’s long-awaited NATO membership is being hindered by Hungary’s delay in ratifying the country’s accession to the military alliance. While Turkey has already ratified Sweden’s membership, Hungary remains the only NATO member yet to give its approval. In an effort to resolve the issue, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has agreed to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
In a letter published by Swedish public television, Kristersson expressed his willingness to meet Orban in Budapest at a mutually convenient time. He emphasized that the completion of the ratification process in the Hungarian parliament would strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and foster mutual understanding and trust. Kristersson also mentioned the opportunity for further dialogue during a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on February 1.
The publication of the letter coincided with Turkey’s parliament approving Sweden’s NATO membership. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to add his signature to the agreement in the coming days. Kristersson expressed his satisfaction with Turkey’s support, stating that Sweden is now “one step closer” to joining the alliance.
Orban also voiced his support for Sweden’s NATO membership in a post on social media platform X. He assured that Hungary supports Sweden’s accession and pledged to urge lawmakers to approve it swiftly. However, Hungary’s parliamentary speaker, Laszlo Kover, downplayed the urgency of the situation, stating that he did not feel any particular urgency or see an extraordinary situation.
The addition of Finland as the 31st member of NATO in April has significantly impacted the security landscape in the region. It has not only doubled NATO’s border with Russia but also bolstered the defenses of three small Baltic countries that joined the alliance after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Both Sweden and Finland had a longstanding history of military non-alignment, rooted in the Cold War era. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted a shift in their policies.
It is worth noting that both Orban and Erdogan maintain relatively friendly relations with Russia. Despite this, Orban has affirmed his country’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership and pledged to encourage the Hungarian National Assembly to vote in favor of it.
The delay in Hungary’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership has raised concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of the alliance. As Sweden moves closer to joining NATO, it is crucial for all member states to demonstrate solidarity and expedite the necessary processes. The meeting between Kristersson and Orban holds the potential to resolve the issue and pave the way for Sweden’s full integration into the military alliance.
