Hungarian Parliamentary Delegation Backs Sweden’s NATO Bid

The delegation also told Swedish officials to stop telling 'lies' about Hungary

A Hungarian parliamentary delegation visited Sweden on Tuesday and expressed support for the country’s NATO bid but also told Swedish officials to stop telling “lies” about Hungary.

Csaba Hende, the deputy speaker of Hungary’s parliament, led the delegation and said most members of the Hungarian government support expanding NATO into Sweden. “We made it clear that the Hungarian government, the Hungarian president, and the vast majority of MPs unanimously support the NATO membership of Sweden,” he said.

But Hende also accused Swedish officials of spreading false information about Hungary. “It would be good if in the future, Swedish politicians, members of government, MPs and MEPs would avoid portraying Hungary in a false light by eluding to an absence of rule of law that is based on clearly untrue facts,” he said.

Hungary has been at odds with many of its fellow EU members since the reelection of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hende is a member of Orban’s Fidesz party, and some members had expressed opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO before the delegation was sent. The delegation plans to visit Finland next to discuss the issue.

Hungary’s parliament is scheduled to vote on ratifying Sweden and Finland’s memberships on March 20 after delaying it a few weeks. Hungary is the only NATO member besides Turkey that has yet to approve the two nordic counties joining the alliance.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.