Swedish Prime Minister accepts Orbán's invitation

"I look forward to discussing relations between the two countries in greater detail and to strengthening the trust between the two countries at a mutually convenient time in Budapest", the Swedish Prime Minister wrote to Viktor Orbán.

The Hungarian Prime Minister invited his Swedish colleague to Hungary on Tuesday to discuss his country's bid to join NATO, in addition to "deepening mutual trust". The Swedish Foreign Minister responded by saying that Sweden saw no reason for holding talks in Hungary. The Hungarian pro-government media was quick to pinpoint the reason why the Swedish Prime Minister was not coming: he was busy partying on account of his birthday on taxpayers' dimes.

Now, however, it seems that the Swedish Prime Minister is open to a meeting after all. The letter was published in the Swedish newspaper Svt Nyheter and picked up by HVG.

"I agree with you that a more intensive political dialogue between our countries would be useful," the Swedish PM wrote in the letter, noting that there are several issues on which Hungary and Sweden have a shared interest. Cooperation on Gripen aircraft, Hungary's EU presidency and NATO were mentioned as examples. He also added that they will also have an opportunity to talk at the upcoming EU summit on 1 February.

Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister's Press Chief, responded to our enquiry by saying that "in his letter, the Swedish Prime Minister responded to the invitation positively and everything concerning this matter is proceeding in the usual way".

After the Turkish parliament ratified Sweden's accession to NATO, Hungary became the last country not to have done so, even though the government had promised all along that they would not be the last. House Speaker László Kövér said that he does not feel bad about being last, because he personally is not so supportive of Sweden's accession to NATO.