A view of the flags of Finland, NATO and Sweden during a ceremony to mark Sweden鈥檚 and Finland鈥檚 application for membership in Brussels, Belgium, May 18, 2022. REUTERS FILE PHOTO
BUDAPEST 鈥� Hungarian President Katalin Novak urged lawmakers on Wednesday to ratify Finland and Sweden鈥檚 Nato entry 鈥渁s soon as possible鈥� as deputies started debating the motions after months of the bills being stranded in parliament.
Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the transatlantic defense pact after Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But all 30 Nato members need to back the applications and Sweden has faced objections from Turkey for harbouring what Ankara considers to be members of terrorist groups.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday talks with Sweden and Finland over their Nato membership bids would resume on March 9, although he said Sweden had still not fulfilled its obligations under a memorandum signed last year.
With Hungary鈥檚 ratification process stranded in parliament since July, nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban aired concerns about Sweden and Finland鈥檚 Nato membership for the first time last Friday.
Among other criticisms, he has accused both countries of spreading 鈥渙utright lies鈥� about the health of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.
鈥淚t is a complex decision, with serious consequences, so careful consideration is necessary,鈥� Novak said on Facebook.
鈥淢y position is clear-cut: in the present situation, the accession of Sweden and Finland is justified. I trust the National Assembly will make a wise decision as soon as possible.鈥�
Nationalist Orban said more talks were needed between parliamentary groups before lawmakers vote on the membership bids, which they will begin debating on Wednesday.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Tuesday said Hungary intends to send a parliamentary delegation to Finland on or around March 9 to discuss the Nordic nation鈥檚 pending Nato membership.
Orban鈥檚 chief of staff on Saturday said a vote on ratification may take place only in the second half of March.
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