Hungary has withdrawn its objections to Mark Rutte becoming the next Secretary General of NATO after the meeting in Brussels between Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, who is currently retiring, and Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, reports News.bg.
According to the Dutch media NOS and RTL, the meeting between Rutte and Orbán led to a significant change in Hungary's position. Orbán previously demanded an apology from Rutte for comments made about Hungary, which Orbán found problematic.
The apology was one of two conditions Hungary placed on supporting Rutte's candidacy. The other condition was an assurance that Hungary would not be required to financially support Ukraine or participate with troops in the conflict there.
Rutte's bid to succeed Jens Stoltenberg at the head of NATO has received support from several key countries, including the US, Britain, France and Germany. Turkey has also expressed its support for Rutte. However, Romania and Slovakia have not yet officially endorsed it. NATO operates on the basis of consensus, which means that it needs the approval of all 32 member countries to be elected.