Hungary and Sweden sign closer defense pact, paving the way for Sweden to join NATO

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Prime Minister of Hungary viktor orbanand its Swedish counterpart, ulf christersonthey closed this friday agreement About Defense Industry Budapest to expand fleetof fighter aircraft, which in turn paves the way for potential Ratification By Hungary than expected Accession Of sweden till nato,

This meeting between the two leaders took place in Budapest after several months of heavy tension between the two countries. Hungary’s refusal To support Sweden’s entry into NATO.

Christerson traveled to Hungary following repeated invitation from the Hungarian government. Orbán indicated that the trip was To bet For his government to support Sweden’s candidacy for NATO.

This Friday’s defense agreement appears to be Reconciliation sealed between the two governments, and Orbán has indicated that his party is ready to approve Sweden’s candidacy on Monday.

The agreement serves to resolve differences between the two countries and puts Sweden on track to join NATO.

one in Press conference After the bilateral meeting, Kristersson said Sweden would sell four Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to Hungary, expanding its existing fleet of 14 aircraft. Sweden will also expand support systems and service provision for the aircraft.

Orbán said the additional aircraft would “significantly increase our military capabilities and further strengthen our role abroad” and enhance Hungary’s ability to participate. nato joint operations,

The agreement paved the way for possible ratification of Sweden’s NATO candidacy by Hungary. on Mondaywhen one vote on the case hungarian parliament, Admitting new countries requires the unanimous support of all NATO members, and Hungary is the last of the 31 alliance members that has not yet given its support.

During a delay of more than 18 months in scheduling a vote in Hungary, Orban had said that his government was in favor of bringing Sweden into NATO, but lawmakers from his ruling party FideszThey were not convinced, humiliated by the “gross lies” of some Swedish politicians who cast doubt on Hungary’s democratic credentials.

Hungary’s allies in NATO and the EU had increased pressure on Budapest to drop its opposition to Sweden’s annexation. Last weekend, a bipartisan group Of senatorsAmericans Visited Hungary and announced that they would introduce a joint resolution in the US Congress condemning the alleged democratic retreat in the European country, and urging the Orbán government to immediately lift the blockade of Sweden’s transatlantic integration.