The talks will focus on Sweden's accession to NATO and the strengthening of bilateral relations.Continue reading
It seems like the British Conservatives have reactivated their long-dormant phone line to the Hungarian Prime Minister, only to lobby him about Sweden’s NATO candidacy.
The British government is one of the most vocal supporters of arming Ukraine and widening the defense alliance against a Russian threat. It was no surprise then that former Prime Minister, and recently appointed Foreign Secretary David Cameron, has got in touch with the Hungarian Prime Minister about the issue.
We must maintain support for Ukraine and protect its future security. I discussed this with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán today, alongside the importance of Sweden’s swift accession to NATO, making Allies safer, NATO stronger and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure”,
read the Foreign Secretary’s Twitter message.
We must maintain support for Ukraine and protect its future security.
I discussed this with Hungary’s Prime Minister @PM_ViktorOrban today, alongside the importance of Sweden’s swift accession to NATO, making Allies safer, NATO stronger and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 23, 2024
The call came on the same day as the Hungarian Prime Minister has announced that he has invited his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson for an official visit to Hungary. They are expected to discuss Sweden’s NATO membership, as well as bilateral relations. The relationship between Hungary and the Nordic country had seen better days – the two governments differ fundamentally not only on the question of responding to the war in Ukraine, but also in matters such as LGBTQ rights or migration.
Certain Hungarian government MPs have taken issue with what they regarded as the Swedish government’s disrespectful communications and hostile moves towards Hungary, and have refused to ratify the Nordic country’s request to join the alliance. It remains to be seen how much clout David Cameron, or the British Conservatives in general have left with the Orbán government though, as they have snubbed Hungary on the world stage for years, while relations between the two countries have been on the back burner ever since Brexit. Nevertheless, Viktor Orbán has already declared his supportive position towards expanding NATO in the direction of Sweden, and his invitation for Ulf Kristersson could be a further sign that the Hungarian Parliament could ratify Sweden’s accession to the defense alliance in the coming weeks.
Featured Image: Twitter David Cameron