By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
STOCKHOLM/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says he wants to meet his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán in Brussels next week to clear the remaining obstacle to Stockholm’s delayed bid to join the NATO military alliance.
Sweden, along with Finland, applied to join the alliance in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland became the alliance’s 31st member last year, but until now, Turkey and Hungary had blocked Sweden’s application.
While Turkey’s parliament gave the green light this week, Hungarian legislators will only decide next month on the issue at the earliest. Under NATO rules, all member states must ratify expansion.
There has been mounting anger in Western capitals over Hungary slowing the process, despite previous promises that it won’t be the last nation to approve Sweden joining the military alliance.
In a letter to Orbán, Kristersson said there would be a chance to meet at the European Council in Brussels on February 1 to discuss Sweden’s NATO bid.
“I agree with you that a more intensive dialogue between our countries would be beneficial,” Kristersson said.
He also accepted an invitation from Orbán to meet in Budapest “at a time convenient for both of us” to discuss Sweden’s NATO application.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the aim of the visit would be to build trust. Budapest has been outraged about Stockholm questioning its democratic credentials and rule of law.
The EU shares Sweden’s concerns and has frozen billions in euros over these issues.
“Fighter jets could be a negotiation card… as Hungary leases Swedish JAS Gripen, a contract which is up for extension and possible expansion,” Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council think-tank, said in published remarks.
At the end of 2001, the Hungarian government signed a contract for the leasing of 14 Gripen fighters made by Sweden’s SAAB.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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