Hungary has approved Sweden's bid to join NATO, the final hurdle to membership

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (left) meets Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban on Feb. 23, ahead of Monday's key vote in Hungary's parliament on Sweden's bid to join NATO. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images)

BERLIN — Hungary's parliament has approved Sweden's bid to join NATO, clearing the way for the Nordic country's accession to the military alliance after almost two years of intense negotiations.

Getting approval from the Hungarian parliament was the final hurdle for Sweden to joining NATO. In Hungary's parliament on Monday, 188 voted in favor and six against it, with five abstaining.