The new Hungarian president promulgated on Tuesday the law on Sweden's accession to NATO, the last technical step before the accession of the Nordic country, which puts an end to two centuries of military non-alignment.
“Tamas Sulyok signed the document voted on February 26, 2024 by Parliament”
,
“first decision”
of his mandate, according to the presidential palace website.
Among the 31 members of the Atlantic Alliance, Hungary was the last country to ratify, after almost two years of waiting for Stockholm.
The Scandinavian kingdom can now deposit its
“instrument of accession”
in Washington, in accordance with the NATO treaty, to become the 32nd member.
Membership Process
Sweden, a candidate in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, broke with its policy of neutrality adopted after the end of the Napoleonic wars in the 19th century, then of military non-alignment since the end of the Cold War.
Although it contributes to international peacekeeping forces, it has not experienced war since a conflict with Norway in 1814.
The accession process was notably punctuated by negotiations with Turkey, which accused the Nordic country of leniency towards Kurdish activists who had taken refuge on its soil, some of whom were considered terrorists by Ankara.
Sweden also had to deal with the reluctance of the Hungarian Prime Minister.
Viktor Orban had certainly given his agreement in principle a long time ago, but before completing the process, he demanded
“respect”
from Stockholm, after years of
“denigration”
of his policies.
Invited to Budapest to restore
“confidence”
, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson made a visit a few days before the green light from Parliament.
On this occasion, Hungary announced the purchase of four Gripen fighter planes from the Scandinavian kingdom.