Budapest, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian parliament approved the bill on Sweden's accession to NATO on February 26 by a vote of 188 in favor and 6 against.
It was the opening day of the spring session of the Hungarian Parliament. In the afternoon, the Hungarian parliament voted on the protocol on Sweden's accession to NATO, and a total of 194 parliamentarians voted. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Hungarian military cooperation between Sweden and Hungary and Sweden's accession to NATO have strengthened Hungary's security.
After the bill is approved by the Hungarian parliament, the Hungarian Schuyuk, who was elected on the same day, will sign a formal agreement to Sweden's accession to NATO.
After the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, Sweden and Finland abandoned their long-standing policy of military non-alignment, and applied to NATO at the same time in May of the same year. According to the protocol, all NATO member states must unanimously agree to admit new members. Finland was officially approved to join NATO in April last year. After Turkey approved Sweden's accession to NATO in January this year, Hungary is the only NATO member state that has not yet ratified Sweden's accession. The United States and NATO allies have recently pressured Hungary to "let it go" as soon as possible.
After the bill is approved by the Hungarian parliament, the Hungarian Schuyuk, who was elected on the same day, will sign a formal agreement to Sweden's accession to NATO.
After the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, Sweden and Finland abandoned their long-standing policy of military non-alignment, and applied to NATO at the same time in May of the same year. According to the protocol, all NATO member states must unanimously agree to admit new members. Finland was officially approved to join NATO in April last year. After Turkey approved Sweden's accession to NATO in January this year, Hungary is the only NATO member state that has not yet ratified Sweden's accession. The United States and NATO allies have recently pressured Hungary to "let it go" as soon as possible.