Hungary PM says more talks needed on Finland, Sweden NATO bids
(VOVWORLD) - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that more talks between parliamentary groups are needed before lawmakers vote on the ratification of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership bids which they will begin debating next Wednesday.
 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks in Budapest on February 18, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Speaking on public radio, Orban said that it should be made clear that Hungary supports Finland and Sweden's NATO membership, but Turkey's concerns regarding Sweden's entry should also be heard, otherwise the expansion effort could fail.
Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO in last May. The parliaments of all 30 members of NATO have to ratify any membership bids for the alliance. So far, 28 out of 30 NATO members have ratified the treaty changes in their national parliaments that would approve membership for Finland and Sweden, leaving only Turkey and Hungary.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month warned Sweden that it shouldn't expect Turkey's support for its NATO membership as long as Stockholm "disrespects the Muslim faith and continues to support terrorist organizations."