Hungary’s president signs formal approval of Sweden’s NATO bid

‘This is incredibly positive,’ says Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson in response to Hungary’s formal approval of its NATO membership application, making Sweden the 32nd member

After 18 months of delays, Hungary’s President Tamas Sulyok formally signed a bill endorsing Sweden’s NATO membership bid.

The signature from President Sulyok was the final step to enact a bill passed in Hungary’s parliament the previous month, concluding a period of negotiations by Hungary’s allies to persuade its nationalist government to lift its opposition to Sweden’s NATO entry.

“This is incredibly positive,” remarked Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson in Stockholm to his counterpart who is visiting Sweden, and added, “This decision will enhance Sweden’s security and bolster NATO.”

In response, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed his delight, stating, “We are pleased to see good friends become allies as members of NATO, and we warmly welcome Sweden to this significant alliance.”

The process for approving Sweden’s NATO entry began when Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban submitted the protocols in July 2022. However, progress stalled in parliament due to opposition from lawmakers of the governing party.

Hungary’s decision now clears the path for NATO’s second expansion in a year, following the applications of both Sweden and Finland to join the alliance in May 2022. These applications were prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, purportedly aimed at halting further NATO expansion.

With Türkiye having ratified the request in January, Hungary’s endorsement was the final nod needed from the 31 members of the alliance to admit Sweden into NATO.

Source: Newsroom

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