Hungary and Turkey have agreed to continue coordinating their policies regarding Sweden's request to join the NATO military alliance. The announcement came after Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto revealed that ratification of Sweden's bid will be discussed in the coming months, as both the Hungarian and Turkish national legislatures are currently in recess. The decision was reached during a meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Budapest.
Sweden's application to join NATO was prompted by concerns over its security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While most NATO member countries have already ratified Sweden's bid, Turkey and Hungary have yet to do so. Turkey recently lifted its objections after Sweden committed to a new plan to crackdown on Kurdish separatist groups within its borders. Hungary, on the other hand, has indicated that it is following Turkey's lead in the ratification process, without disclosing the specific reasons for its stance.
During their meeting, Orban and Erdogan also discussed bilateral economic cooperation. Hungary plans to purchase 275 million cubic meters of natural gas from Turkey next year, further solidifying the partnership between the two countries. This gas will be transported through a pipeline that runs through Turkey and the Balkans, serving as a crucial gateway for Hungary's natural gas imports from the east, mainly from Russia.
Before the conflict in Ukraine, Hungary received its gas supplies from neighboring Ukraine. However, due to geopolitical tensions, Russia redirected its gas shipments away from Ukraine, and Hungary had to find alternative routes. The agreement to purchase gas from Turkey strengthens Hungary's energy security by diversifying its sources and reducing dependence on Russian imports.
Orban and Erdogan have also scheduled another meeting in Budapest on December 18th, indicating a continuation of their close collaboration. These discussions demonstrate the growing importance of Hungary-Turkey relations, both in terms of regional security and economic cooperation.