The Hungarian approval of a Swedish entry into NATO has been delayed. But when Turkey gave Sweden the green light on Monday, Hungary’s foreign minister announced that the approval is now “just a technicality”.
Notice within a week
A decision is still required in the Hungarian parliament for Swedish membership. A vote could either take place when parliament reconvenes at the end of September or if the speaker calls an extra session, which is not uncommon in Hungary.
– We will probably know more within about a week. The Hungarian government has announced that they will meet for a three-day meeting, after the NATO summit in Vilnius.
The expert: Doubtful if Hungary helped Turkey
Hungary has not presented any concrete reason why the approval of Sweden was delayed. Rudolf Berkes believes that it is about a hope for financial and political support from Turkey.
– But one can question whether Hungary has really succeeded in supporting Turkey. Turkey has successfully negotiated on its own.
Furthermore, Turkey does not seem to have discussed its acceptance of Sweden with Hungary.
– It is rather embarrassing that Erdogan has not discussed the issue with Hungary if it is now the case that Hungary’s actions depend on wanting to support Turkey.
“No one here wanted to mention Hungary”
Rudolf Berkes is one of the participants at the NATO public forum, the open part of the meeting in Vilnius.
– It was clear here that no one wanted to mention Hungary when they talked about Sweden. Everyone was talking about Turkey and the negotiations that ended.
According to Berkes, the NATO colleagues have not considered Hungary to be important in the Swedish issue.
– Probably because they understood that Hungary’s actions are only a negotiation game and that Hungary has nothing concrete against Sweden, on the contrary, they believe that Sweden can strengthen NATO.