The Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet writes that Hungary may pledge its ratifications for a long time.
15.11. 16:46•Updated 15.11. 17:58
The ratification of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership is up to only two countries: Hungary and Turkey. Both in Finland and Sweden it has been considered quite clear that Hungary will ratify the countries’ NATO membership in the near future.
Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (you switch to another service) writes, however, that Hungary may delay its ratifications for a long time.
Member of Parliament of the opposition party Momentum Márton Tompos tells Swedish journalists that he tried in vain to promote ratifications in the Hungarian parliament. According to him, the Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and this Fidesz party decides on the ratifications, and the prime minister spends “as much time as he wants” on it.
Orbán has not publicly presented any conditions for the ratification of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership. Orbán’s spokesman Zoltán Kovacs however, it is not denied to the Swedish journalists that Hungary has demands on Finland and Sweden.
– In politics, all things are interdependent. Other countries expect us to accept things all the time, even if they don’t accept our interests, spokesman Zoltán Kovács says in Svenska Dagbladet.
He also claims that Sweden’s previous government did not reach out to Hungary or ask about its demands.
A reporter from Svenska Dagbladet then asks Kovács if he wants the Swedish government to ask Hungary what it wants?
– I state that they have not done it, says Kovács.
Then Svenska Dagbladet asks Kovács if Hungary intends to ratify the NATO applications of Sweden and Finland before Turkey.
– I’m not going to put any limit on it, he answers after a long silence.
Fixed November 15 at 17:58 spelling of Hungarian names.
Read more:
Analysis: NATO does not want Finland without Sweden
Niinistö: Finland can count on Hungary for NATO ratification