Hungary postponed ratification of Sweden’s membership of NATO at Turkey’s request. The announcement was made today by the chairman of the Hungarian parliamentary committee for foreign affairs, Zsolt Nemeth. According to Rtl.hu, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s party friend said ratification should take place in the autumn.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said there was no rush for Hungary’s ratification, as the corresponding Turkish step would also “not come tomorrow”. The promise made earlier by the Hungarian government that Hungary would not be the last country to ratify NATO still stands, Szijjarto said, according to Atv.hu.
Criticism of the statements came from the opposition party Momentum. It is “strange” that Orban’s government, which is sensitive to Hungarian sovereignty, is acting at the behest of Turkey.
Orban: In constant touch
During a visit to Vienna last week, Orban admitted that he would coordinate with Turkey on NATO expansion. Ahead of a key meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, he assured that he was “in constant contact” with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Turkey. “If we have something to do, we will act. The Hungarian government is not delaying decisions,” said Orban.