Hungary Stalls Parliament, Session to Vote on Sweden , Becoming a NATO Member.
Al Jazeera reports that lawmakers from Hungary
have boycotted an emergency parliamentary
session to vote on Sweden joining NATO.
Al Jazeera reports that lawmakers from Hungary
have boycotted an emergency parliamentary
session to vote on Sweden joining NATO.
The February 5 session, which was an attempt
to place a vote on Sweden's bid on the National
Assembly's schedule, was ultimately scuttled.
The February 5 session, which was an attempt
to place a vote on Sweden's bid on the National
Assembly's schedule, was ultimately scuttled.
In January, Turkey's parliament voted to approve
Sweden joining the alliance, making Hungary
the last NATO country to grant approval.
Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has
maintained close ties with Moscow, despite stating
their support for the Swedish bid to join the alliance.
Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has
maintained close ties with Moscow, despite stating
their support for the Swedish bid to join the alliance.
Last month, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told NATO Secretary General
Jens Stoltenberg that he would push his party to ratify Sweden's bid, "at the first possible opportunity.".
US Ambassador David Pressman
expressed the United States' hopes
that Hungary acts "expeditiously.”.
Sweden’s NATO accession is an issue
that directly affects the United States’s
national security and affects the
security of our alliance as a whole, David Pressman, United States Ambassador, via Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera reports that, in a separate statement, U.S. Senator
Ben Cardin suggested sanctioning Hungary for its delays,
calling Orban “the least reliable member of NATO.”.
Al Jazeera reports that, in a separate statement, U.S. Senator
Ben Cardin suggested sanctioning Hungary for its delays,
calling Orban “the least reliable member of NATO.”.
According to Hungarian officials, a vote will not be held
until Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson agrees to
visit Budapest for negotiations regarding the matter.
According to Hungarian officials, a vote will not be held
until Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson agrees to
visit Budapest for negotiations regarding the matter.
In response, Kristersson said that he would
agree to negotiations only after Hungary
grants Sweden approval to join NATO.