Hungary’s NATO membership is not up for debate

Gergely Gulyás, the prime minister’s chief of staff, said today morning that it was in Hungary’s interest that Ukraine’s territorial integrity was respected by everyone, including Russia. The issue at hand is Ukraine’s future NATO membership, on which western Europe must establish its own position, he said.

In response to a question, Gulyás called Russia a reliable gas supplier. Hungary’s NATO membership is not up for debate, he said. Hungary’s interests lie in a united NATO and in averting war in Ukraine, he said. Gulyás said Russia felt that it had been deceived in connection with the enlargement of NATO, but recognised the alliance’s expansion over the past decade and a half.

What Russia does not want is for the enlargement to continue,

he added.

Turning to the economy, Gulyás said Hungary’s GDP had grown by almost 7 percent last year, the highest growth rate since the change of regime in 1989-90. The government wants as many people as possible to benefit from the economic growth, he added.

Asked about Monday’s teacher strike for a wage hike and workload reduction, Gulyas said it was unlawful in lack of a binding court ruling on the action.