Stoltenberg hopes Hungary and Turkey will soon approve Sweden's accession to NATO
World
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expects the Hungarian and Turkish parliaments to ratify Sweden's NATO accession agreements soon.
"All NATO allies agree on Sweden's accession to NATO and Sweden has honoured its commitments. I expect Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden's accession documents without further delay," he told Hungarian online publication Index in an interview ahead of a two-day meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers in Brussels beginning on 28 November.
He also recalled that he had discussed the issue with Hungarian President Katalin Novak during a recent meeting in Brussels. "And I agree with you, President, that its membership will make NATO stronger. The Hungarian government has repeatedly said that it will not be the last NATO Ally to ratify Sweden’s accession. Now I count on Hungary to fulfil that commitment," Stoltenberg said.
Hungary and Turkey are the only NATO countries that have yet to ratify Sweden's accession agreement. The Hungarian government submitted a bill to that effect to the national parliament last summer, but lawmakers have yet to set a deadline for a vote on the issue.
He also recalled that he had discussed the issue with Hungarian President Katalin Novak during a recent meeting in Brussels. "And I agree with you, President, that its membership will make NATO stronger. The Hungarian government has repeatedly said that it will not be the last NATO Ally to ratify Sweden’s accession. Now I count on Hungary to fulfil that commitment," Stoltenberg said.
Hungary and Turkey are the only NATO countries that have yet to ratify Sweden's accession agreement. The Hungarian government submitted a bill to that effect to the national parliament last summer, but lawmakers have yet to set a deadline for a vote on the issue.
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