Key Takeaways
- Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson is set to visit Budapest in the near future, as Hungary and Sweden strengthen ties.
- Hungary and Sweden are negotiating a major military industry agreement, which might include Sweden’s Gripen fighter jets.
- Sweden’s NATO membership bid is pending ratification by Hungary, with the Hungarian parliament expected to approve the application on February 26.
Budapest: The Swedish embassy in Hungary is preparing for the visit of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest, which could take place in the near future, Hungarian news portal Index reported on Monday, citing sources.
On Saturday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Budapest and Stockholm had “taken important steps” to resolve differences, and everything is leading up to ensure that at the beginning of the spring session of the Hungarian parliament, which starts on February 26, lawmakers would approve the Swedish application to NATO.
On Monday, the news portal also reported that Hungary and Sweden were negotiating a major military industry agreement, which might include Sweden’s Gripen fighter jets and become a condition for the Hungarian parliament to ratify the Swedish NATO membership bid.
Finland, along with Sweden, submitted its NATO application in May 2022, several months after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine.
Finland became a member of the alliance in April 2023.
Sweden’s application is pending ratification by Hungary.
