Orban: Hungary may soon ratify Sweden's membership in NATO

2024-02-17 21:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Hungary's parliament could soon ratify Sweden's NATO membership when it begins its spring session later this month, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told his supporters on Saturday.

"It is good news that our dispute with Sweden will be resolved soon," Mr. Orban said. "We are taking steps so that with the beginning of the spring session of the parliament we can ratify Sweden's membership in NATO".

Parliament reconvenes on February 26. Sweden applied for NATO membership almost two years ago, making a historic policy shift, due to Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Mr. Orban said that together with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, they have taken steps to "rebuild trust" between the two countries. Mr. Orban did not say what these steps were.

Hungary is the only NATO country that has not yet ratified Sweden's membership, a process that requires the approval of all NATO member states. The delay has strained relations with the United States and created concern among allied countries.

Mr Orban's ruling party, Fidesz, has cited what it calls groundless accusations by Sweden that it has damaged democracy in Hungary as the reason why ratification has been delayed.

During the last week, Prime Minister Orban has faced an extremely challenging period for his 14-year government, due to the pardon granted by the country's president to a person who helped to cover up sexual abuse in a children's home. The scandal led to the resignation of Hungary's president and former justice minister, both key allies of Mr Orban. Late Friday, tens of thousands of people came out to the protests called by influential personalities in public opinion.

In his first public statement since the president resigned a week ago, Mr Orban said his government would emerge even stronger, focusing on the economy and EU parliamentary elections in June, where growth is expected of the presence of right-wing political forces and "bringing change to Brussels".

He said that the resignation of President Katalin Novak was "like a nightmare" but that it was the right move, adding that his government will draft bills to strengthen child protection.

Mr Orban has clashed with the European Commission over his government's crackdown on media freedom and the rights of the LGBTQ community, as well as his immigration policies. He said that this year could bring changes in Europe and elsewhere.

"We would very much like Donald Trump to come back as president (of the United States) and... to establish peace here in the eastern half of Europe," said Mr. Orban, an early supporter of Mr. Trump./ VOA