Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban today told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg his “support” for Sweden to join the Alliance, a day after Turkey ratified the Scandinavian country’s entry.
In this regard, Orban yesterday invited his Swedish counterpart Ulf Christerson to Budapest for talks to try to remove the last obstacles to the Scandinavian country’s entry into the alliance. Stockholm declined the invitation.
Just finished a phone call with @NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg. I reaffirmed that the Hungarian government supports the NATO-membership of #Sweden. I also stressed that we will continue to urge the Hungarian National Assembly to vote in favor of Sweden’s accession and…
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) January 24, 2024
“I told (Stoltenberg) again that the Hungarian government supports Sweden’s candidacy,” – the Hungarian Prime Minister wrote in his message on the X website. He added that “will continue to ask Parliament to complete the ratification of Sweden’s accession at the earliest opportunity.”
Good call with @PM_ViktorOrban of #Hungary. I welcome the clear support of the Prime Minister and his government for #Sweden’s #NATO membership. I look forward to the ratification as soon as parliament reconvenes.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 24, 2024
“I had a good telephone conversation with Viktor Orban” – said the NATO Secretary General, welcoming the Hungarian Prime Minister’s “clear support” on this issue. “I look forward to ratification taking place as soon as parliament resumes.”
The Hungarian Parliament is expected to meet again in mid-February. However, the issue of ratifying Sweden’s membership in NATO is not currently on the agenda.
Yesterday National Assembly of Turkey by an overwhelming majority of votes approved Sweden’s entry into the allianceending 20 months of discussions and waiting that tested the patience of Ankara’s Western allies.
After Turkey’s “yes” yesterday, Hungary remains the only NATO member state standing in the way of the Scandinavian country’s entry into NATO.
PS Is everyone wondering what Orban will ask for his “Yes”?
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