Her Parliament Hungary may ratify its accession Finland And her Sweden V NATO at the beginning of next month, the Hungarian media reported today, citing the provisional schedule of the body’s meetings for next week.

Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and say they want to go hand in hand. Although the majority of countries participating in the Pact have already given their consent, Turkey and Hungary have not yet ratified this process. Last week, the German foreign minister asked the two countries to pave the way for the accession of Finland and Sweden “without further delay.”

Orban: It’s ‘vital’ to be a member of NATO

The news website HVG.hu reported that Hungarian MPs could start debates on March 1, with a ratification vote could take place as early as next week.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in November that his government had already decided to support the two countries’ request. The government presented the bill in July, but Parliament, in which Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party has an overwhelming majority, has not yet submitted it for discussion and approval.

Orban said on Saturday it was “vital” for Hungary to remain a member of NATO, but that his government would not send arms to Ukraine or cut economic ties with Moscow.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}