Sweden doubts it will join NATO by July: FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Mar 2023 10:39

A new hurdle appears in Sweden’s accession process, with Hungary signaling fresh signs of opposition.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom looks on during a joint press conference with his German counterpart at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on November 10, 2022. (AFP)

Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom admitted on Thursday that he was no longer confident his country would be able to join NATO by July amid signs of objections from Hungary.

"I have noted the things that have been said in recent days, especially from Hungary's side, and that means you always have reason to alter your words. I think 'hopeful' in this context is better," Billstrom told Swedish media.

Billstrom's remarks come just a week after he was "completely convinced" that Sweden would join the alliance in its upcoming summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, later in July.

On his account, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has lately pointed out that Finland is expected to join NATO earlier than Sweden, given Turkey's objections to Stockholm's membership in the US-led military alliance.

"Currently everything indicates that Finland will join [NATO] earlier than Sweden," Kristersson indicated at a conference of Sweden's Moderate Party, which he leads.

Finland and its neighbor Sweden ended decades of military non-alignment and decided to join the US-led alliance in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

Their applications were accepted at a June NATO summit. But the bids still needed to be ratified by all 30 of the alliance members' parliaments -- a process that got hung up once it reached the turn of Turkey and Hungary.

It is worth noting that Erdogan said the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO would depend on Stockholm's future actions.