Hungary to approve Finland’s and Sweden’s bid to join NATO in early 2023, says Prime Minister Orban
Hungary will ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership in early 2023, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said. Speaking at a press conference, he said: “Hungary will certainly give its support to their accession, after the government had done so, so will the parliament.”
In May, both Finland la fitness and Sweden applied to join NATO because of Russia’s war against Ukraine. But Turkey has objected to both nations’ bids for membership on the grounds that those countries have tolerated and supported terrorist groups.
Finland and Sweden join NATO
The pledge to ratify Finland and Sweden with NATO membership came at a meeting of PMs from the Visegrad 4 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) held in the Slovak city of Košice. Prime Minister Orban said that three prime ministers have put pressure on Hungarians to go ahead with the process. Furthermore, he said that the Hungarian government has already made a decision and confirmed that both Finland and Sweden will become members of NATO during the first session next year.
He further added, “I would like to underline that the Swedes and Finns have not lost a single minute of membership because of Hungary, and Hungary will certainly give them the support they need to join. After the government, the parliament will also .” The Visegrad 4 leaders have acknowledged significant differences over how to help Ukraine and punish Russia for its invasion. However, the four nations have agreed to continue V4 cooperation in the future, ensure energy security, strengthen border security and stop illegal immigration.