The Hungarian parliament has approved Sweden’s long-pending bid to join NATO, putting an end to over 18 months of delays. This historic move, following a decisive vote on Monday, signifies a major stride toward Sweden’s integration into the trans-Atlantic Alliance.
The approval, eagerly awaited by Sweden and its NATO partners, was previously blocked by Hungarian officials. Until now, Hungary had been the sole NATO member yet to ratify Sweden’s bid, causing frustration among allies and mounting pressure on the Hungarian government, especially after Türkiye’s approval of Sweden’s accession at the end of January. As a body operating on consensus, NATO requires the unanimous approval of all its members for any new country seeking to join the organization.
The process of Sweden’s accession to NATO is overseen by NATO Headquarters, with the signing of the Accession Protocols occurring in July 2022. On the military front, NATO Allied Command Transformation has been leading the coordination of the integration process through the Sweden Accession & Integration Working Group, established in July 2022. This working group, comprising subject matter experts from NATO and Sweden, facilitates collaboration across 10 Functional Areas of military integration to ensure Sweden meets all military pre-conditions.
Formal meetings, including Annual Integration Conferences reporting to NATO’s and Sweden’s higher military authorities, have provided regular updates on the agreed objectives and progress. Sweden’s military integration has progressed swiftly, with the 2023 Annual Integration Conference at NATO HQ in June highlighting significant progress, indicating readiness to transition all Functional Areas to “routine NATO business” once Sweden’s Accession concludes.
With Hungary’s approval, Sweden will become NATO’s thirty-second, and newest, member, a move expected to bolster the Alliance’s presence in Northern Europe. The decision has been lauded by NATO officials and is viewed as a positive step for European security.
Sweden’s Accession to NATO comes at a crucial time, given heightened tensions in the region, particularly due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It will enhance NATO’s defence capabilities and security cooperation in the region. Hungary’s approval of Sweden’s NATO bid marks a significant milestone in European security, underscoring the continued strength, relevance and endurance of the trans-Atlantic Alliance.