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Sweden’s NATO Membership Approved by Hungarian Parliament
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban on Feb. 23, prior to Hungary’s parliament vote on Sweden’s NATO bid. The Hungarian parliament has given the green light for Sweden’s NATO membership after almost two years of negotiations.
Final Hurdle Cleared
Approval from the Hungarian parliament was crucial for Sweden’s NATO accession. In the parliamentary vote, 188 were in favor, six against, and five abstained. This marks a significant milestone for Sweden’s path to Euro-Atlantic security.
Historic Day for Sweden
According to a tweet from the office of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the approval from all NATO member states is a testament to Sweden’s commitment to NATO. Kristersson’s visit to Budapest resulted in a defense and security cooperation agreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, signaling a positive turn in their relationship.
The agreement includes Hungary’s acquisition of four new Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jets. With this development, Sweden is on track to become NATO’s 32nd member, following Finland’s recent accession to the alliance.
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