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Sweden applied to join the transatlantic alliance nearly two
years ago in a historic shift in policy prompted by Russia's
full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Hungary is the only NATO member not yet to have ratified the
Nordic country's accession, with Orban's ruling party repeatedly
delaying a vote, citing grievances over Sweden criticizing
Hungary over its rule-of law.
Orban said on Tuesday that it would be a "pleasure" to welcome
Kristersson in Budapest.
"We are planning to discuss how to strengthen the defence and
security policy cooperation between Hungary and Sweden, as well
as our plans for the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the
European Union, and the EU’s Strategic Agenda," Orban said in a
post on X.
Orban's Fidesz party proposed earlier on Tuesday that parliament
should vote to ratify Sweden's bid to join NATO on Feb. 26, a
move that it would support.
Fidesz has a huge majority in parliament and it could have
approved the Nordic country's membership at any time since the
relevant legislation was submitted to the Hungarian parliament
in mid-2022.
The delay has soured Budapest's relations with the United States
and raised concerns among allies.
The visit on Feb. 23 follows an invitation to Kristersson by
Orban, and the two plan to hold a joint press conference, Sweden
said.
Hungary leases Gripen fighter aircraft made by Sweden's SAAB (SAABb.ST)
under a contract signed in 2001.
Local news site Index.hu has reported this week, citing unnamed
sources, that a new defence deal could be signed between Sweden
and Budapest. A Hungarian government spokesman has not replied
to emailed Reuters questions.
(Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori and Krisztina Than; Additional
reporting by Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm)
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