Hungary Ratifies Sweden’s Accession to NATO

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok signed a protocol ratifying Sweden’s accession to NATO.

This is stated on the website of the Hungarian President.

“Today, President Tamás Sulyok signed the National Assembly’s decision of February 26, 2024, on Sweden’s accession to NATO,” the statement reads.

Hungarian lawmakers approved Sweden’s accession to NATO on February 26, 2024.

It ended Budapest’s months-long delays and came after a visit by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, during which the two countries signed an arms deal.

Sweden applied for NATO membership in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and most Allies quickly ratified its application.

However, the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faced pressure from NATO allies to approve Sweden’s accession to the Alliance as soon as possible.

But even after the parliament’s decision, Sweden’s final membership in NATO was artificially delayed because Hungary did not send the ratification document to Washington, explaining that it was due to presidential elections in the country.

Hungary remained the only member of the alliance that did not approve Sweden’s membership, although Budapest repeatedly assured that it would be ready to ratify Sweden’s accession to NATO as soon as Turkey did.

Ankara changed its decision after EU officials agreed to resume negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the alliance and to ease U.S. sanctions on the sale of military technology.

In particular, one of the key agreements was the approval of the sale of U.S. F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

As previously reported, Albania has recently opened a renovated air base in Kuçovë to service NATO aircraft.