Hungary supports Sweden's NATO membership, Premier Orban says

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday said his government supports Sweden's NATO membership and will urge the parliament to vote in favor of its accession.

"The Hungarian government supports the NATO-membership of Sweden," Orban said on X after a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"I also stressed that we will continue to urge the Hungarian National Assembly to vote in favor of Sweden’s accession and conclude the ratification at the first possible opportunity."

The remarks come a day after the Turkish parliament on Tuesday ratified Sweden's membership in a 287 to 55 vote. Hungary is now the only NATO member state that has not signed off on the Nordic country's entry into the alliance.

Stoltenberg welcomed Orban's support for Sweden's NATO membership.

"Good call with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. I welcome the clear support of the Prime Minister and his government for Sweden’s NATO membership. I look forward to the ratification as soon as parliament reconvenes," he said.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 following Russia's war on Ukraine earlier that year. Finland joined the alliance as its 31st member in April 2023.