While Hungary wants NATO membership, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff asked Stockholm to strengthen relations on Thursday.
Finland and Sweden concurrently applied to NATO last year. However, notwithstanding Swedish criticism of Orban’s democratic and the rule of law record, NATO allies Turkey and Hungary have delayed Sweden’s application.
As Russia invaded Ukraine and promised “counter-measures,” Finland joined NATO on Tuesday.
President Joseph Biden welcomed Finland and urged Turkey and Hungary to finalize their ratification processes for Sweden to join “without delay.”
Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, said the government shared ruling party concerns over Sweden’s NATO candidacy.
He said Sweden and Finland backing the European Commission’s Hungarian action raised such worries.
“Current Sweden-Hungary relations…also due of this participation on the side of the Commission are at a low point and steps to reestablish confidence are needed,” Gulyas added.
“In a crisis, NATO unity is essential and bilateral negotiations are unhelpful.”
When Orban voiced concerns over Nordic NATO entry in February, parliament halted Hungary’s ratification process in July.
Orban labeled both nations “outright liars” about Hungary’s democracy.
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