Hungary has finally ratified Sweden’s accession to NATO

On February 26, after a year and a half, the Hungarian Parliament ratified Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.

188 deputies in the Hungarian parliament voted for the ratification of the protocol on Sweden’s accession to NATO, while six were against.

The Hungarian president will sign the ratification protocol and publish it in the official gazette to complete the ratification process formally. It is anticipated to occur within the next week.

Hungary, as you know, was the last NATO member state that did not approve Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.

For a long time, Budapest claimed that it supported Sweden’s accession and would not be “the last” to approve it. In practice, however, ratification in the Hungarian parliament occurred later than even in Turkey, which until recently had been actively criticizing Sweden for its insufficient “fight against terrorism.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed the Hungarian parliament’s decision on February 26 to ratify Stockholm’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.

I welcome the Hungarian parliament’s vote to ratify Sweden’s membership in NATO. Now that all Allies have approved, Sweden will become the 32nd NATO Ally. Sweden’s membership will make us all stronger and safer.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Stoltenberg said he welcomed the Hungarian parliament’s vote to ratify Sweden’s membership in NATO.

The Swedish prime minister, in turn, spoke of a “historic day” as the parliaments of all NATO member states voted in favor of Sweden’s accession.

Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson

Last Friday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson came to Budapest. During his visit, Orban announced the “restoration of trust in relations” and confirmed that Sweden would sell four more Gripen fighter jets to Hungary and extend the maintenance agreement.