Hungarian parliament approves Sweden's NATO bid, last member of alliance that had not given green light

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Hungary’s parliament on Monday approved Sweden's NATO membership, essentially sealing the deal, as it was the last member of the alliance that had not yet given the green light.

The vote took place in the capital Budapest following last week’s meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Kristersson on Friday announced that the countries had signed a bilateral agreement to continue cooperation on the Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen war jets, which Hungary leased in 2006.

The two leaders agreed that the leasing of the 14 jets will be extended for another decade beginning in 2026, with Hungary purchasing four more from Sweden.

Kristersson said the agreement would strengthen European security and benefit both countries.

He also praised Hungary for its contribution to NATO's Air Policing operation in the Baltic Sea, near Sweden.

Last week, Hungary's ruling Fidesz party proposed voting on Sweden's NATO membership bid on Monday.

Sweden must obtain the approval of 31 NATO member states before it can join.

Hungary remained the only NATO member that had yet to approve Sweden's membership after Türkiye’s parliament last month approved its application.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 following the start of Russia's war on Ukraine earlier that year.

Finland joined the alliance as its 31st member last April.