France

Revealed: Washington’s biggest adversary likely to visit Budapest for talks with PM Orbán

PM Orbán Xi Jinping in Beijing chinese president chinese ambassador szijjártó china hungarian

The intensifying rivalry between the US and China for global supremacy is reaching new heights, with both parties keen on rallying international support in what some are calling a modern-day “Cold War” era. However, PM Orbán and his administration beg to differ. Despite escalating tensions, Hungary aims to position itself as a mediator between these two superpowers. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Chinese leader Xi Jinping is anticipated to come for an official visit to Budapest this May, ahead of the EU and municipal elections.

PM Orbán’s vision: Hungary as a bridge between East and West

PM Orbán envisions Hungary as the pivotal link between Eastern and Western influences. He advocates for Budapest to maintain good relationships not only with the EU and the USA but also with the prominent powers forming the emerging “Eastern bloc,” including China, India and Russia.

In 2010, the Orbán cabinet announced the “Eastward Opening” initiative, aimed at exploring business prospects and fostering collaboration, such as in higher education, with Asian and African nations. Presently, the Hungarian government’s messaging consistently underscores the need for NATO and the EU to pursue peace and reconciliation in Ukraine, rather than endorsing Kyiv with financial aid and weaponry in its struggle against the Russian invasion. However, this stance is perceived by many in the West as pro-Russian.

PM Orbán has previously endorsed Donald Trump, with the two leaders meeting up in Florida in March. Despite Trump’s advocacy for more stringent anti-China policies, the pair maintains a strong collaborative dynamic. Trump regularly praises Orbán, and vice versa. Orbán pins his hopes on Trump’s reelection, believing it to be pivotal in normalising US-Hungarian relations. Nevertheless, how their “friendship” will work is a fair question, provided Trump enacts harsh anti-Beijing measures during his second presidency.

Trump Orbán — Trump and PM Orbán in Florida. Photo: FB/Orbán

Will President Xi make an appearance in Hungary?

According to Szabad Európa, Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit multiple European countries in May. Based on two sources of the news outlet, the President will come to Hungary following visits to France and Serbia.

Xi is scheduled to touch down in France on 5th May, followed by a subsequent trip to Belgrade two days later. Serbian President Vučić mentioned the visit in February without elaborating on an exact date.

Xi’s previous visit to Hungary occurred in 2009 when he held the position of Vice President of China. He was received by Hungarian President László Sólyom and PM Gordon Bajnai, during which they signed 15 bilateral agreements.

His most recent encounter with PM Orbán was in 2023 in Beijing, during which Xi affectionately referred to Orbán as his friend. He also hinted at commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, suggesting that this milestone could elevate bilateral relations to the next level.

PM Orbán Xi Jinping in Beijing — PM Orbán in Beijing with Xi Jinping. Photo: FB/Orbán

Major Chinese projects advance slowly in Hungary

Two months later, in December, it was announced that Chinese electric car giant BYD would establish the world’s biggest manufacturing plant in Szeged, Southern Hungary.

Another Chinese mega-project in Hungary is the Belgrade-Budapest railway construction and renewal project, which started in 2014 with an initial completion deadline of 2017. However, progress has been sluggish, with relevant details shrouded in secrecy.

Railway Hungary Budapest-Belgrade — Belgrade-Budapest railway construction. Photo: FB

Nonetheless, Investigate Europe noted that the investment will only become profitable after 979 years. The 160-kilometres-long Hungary section will cost HUF 750 billion (EUR 2.5 billion), with 85% of that sum being a Chinese state loan to Hungary.

Read also:

Surprise Twist: Budapest-Belgrade railway set to finish ahead of schedule – Details in THIS article
New direct flight from Budapest to one of the world’s largest cities – Read more HERE

April 10, 2024

Emergency landing in Budapest: smoke detected in the cockpit of an Air France flight from Paris

G4Media has reported on a recent emergency landing, involving a flight from Paris to Bucharest, which was scheduled to land at midnight on Monday but unexpectedly touched down in Budapest instead.

Lucian Mîndruță, a journalist, reported an emergency occurrence upon the aircraft’s descent over Budapest. Approximately 20-30 minutes following the emergency call, the aircraft landed at Liszt Ferenc Airport, as stated in his Facebook post. He obtained this information from a passenger aboard the aircraft.

According to the report on the emergency landing, upon touch-down, the pilots informed passengers of their location and the diversion due to an unspecified technical issue. It was later revealed that smoke was detected in the cockpit.

Budapest Airport has issued the following statement regarding the emergency landing:

“Air France flight AF1088 Paris – Bucharest was aborted due to smoke in the cabin and landed at 22:34 on Monday at Liszt Ferenc International Airport. The aircraft was inspected by firefighters at the scene and will fly back to Paris this morning without passengers. The airline sent a relief flight to pick up the passengers, which will continue to Bucharest in the morning on Tuesday.”

New direct flight announced from Budapest to one of Europe’s most beautiful cities

The British multinational low-cost airline group, EasyJet, will launch a new direct flight connecting the astonishing Hungarian capital with one of the most beautiful cities in Western Europe.

According to airportal.hu, the first flight towards Lyon, France, from Budapest Airport, will take off on 21 August. Based on the plans, the new route will remain until October with two flights weekly.

The new flights are already available in the booking system of the low-cost airline between 21 August and 23 October, one of Hungary’s national days commemorating the 1956 anti-Soviet and anti-communist revolution.

Ticket price for the new flight from Budapest will be moderate

In August, the flights will commute on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while from early September until the end of the summer timetable, they will carry passengers on Wednesdays and Sundays. Based on the current data, the return ticket to the mesmerizing French city will cost HUF 40,000 (EUR 102).

According to Budflyer, a Hungarian air travel news Facebook page, EasyJet closed its Budapest routes one after the other. Only Basel, Geneva and London remained. Opening a new route means they do not plan to leave Budapest Airport. Furthermore, the destination opens new regional horizons with possible flights to Bordeaux, Nantes or Toulouse.

Toulouse France direct flight Budapest Airport — View of the August bridge and The Saint Cecile church in Albi, France. Horizontal shot. Photo: depositphotos.com

If you plan to travel to Budapest Airport by car, you should know that there are road closures due to maintenance work that started on 2 April. The Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development’s (MKIF) road renewal concerns the M4 motorway junction branches near Liszt Ferenc International Airport (Budapest Airport). According to the airport’s official statement, all drivers should expect congestion and increased travel times.

Moreover, even public transport will be affected, so you should calculate your bus ride to the airport with some extra time. The first phase of the maintenance work will last until this Sunday. We detailed what to expect in THIS article.

Read also:

Discover a hidden gem: Wizz Air relaunches flights to the Eastern European capital – Read more HERE
What happened to Wizz Air? Hungarian airline changes name

Featured image: depositphotos.com

April 5, 2024

Hungarian sovereignty protection office rejects Venice Commission report

European Union Hungary Poland venice commission EU funds

The sovereignty protection office on Thursday rejected the Venice Commission’s report on Hungary’s sovereignty protection law, calling the report “biased, riddled with errors and politically motivated”.

The advisory body to the Council of Europe visited Hungary on 15-16 February. In a statement on the findings issued on 18 March, it said that the legal basis of the office as the protector of constitutional identity was questionable.

While the delegation met the sovereignty protection office’s head, “it is not on public record what other players or factors had a bearing on the Commission’s stance, besides Hungarian state organisations and opposition politicians,” the office said in a statement.

The Venice Commission‘s report “was drafted to be used by various organisations of the European Union, for instance in infringement procedures against Hungary, and as a basis for political attacks against the country,” the office said.

The report’s “gravest factual error” was that it said the office had the right to conduct investigations, the sovereignty protection office said. The Commission also voiced concerns about what they said was a lack of legal remedy against the sovereignty protection office, it said. However, as the office was not an authority, such remedy was unnecessary, it said.

The report is biased as it questions legal practices such as the procedure of presidential election in Hungary, against which it had raised no concerns earlier, the sovereignty protection office’s statement said. “The report also shows that the Commission is debating Hungary’s right to freely set up its institutions.”

“In calling for scrapping the sovereignty protection law, the Venice Commission is clearly seeking to strip Hungary of the tools to protect its national autonomy and to stand up against foreign attempts of influence,” the statement said.

Read also:

March 28, 2024

France leads the voices raising the threat of world war, says Hungarian FM Szijjártó

With the war going on for more than two years in Ukraine, the situation is the most critical yet in Europe, and the “specter of a world war looms ever larger,” the foreign minister said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.

Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook that the US Secretary of State will also join the meeting through a virtual call.

“Western European leaders must grasp that their strategy regarding the war has failed and they would have achieved a ceasefire long ago had they invested as much into brokering peace as they did into weapon deliveries,” he said.

Meanwhile, he insisted France was leading the voices “stoking the danger of world war”. Sending land troops to Ukraine threatened with regional escalation, and was “diametrically opposed to NATO decisions so far”, he added.

“We don’t want a war in Europe, and we hope our European colleagues will also cease playing with fire,” he said.

As we wrote a few days earlier, in an interview with Le Monde, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Hungary “knows the consequences of occupation by a fascist regime”, but its messages to Ukraine are radical. He also said that the world should have put Putin in his place at the beginning of the war, details HERE.

Also we wrote earlier, the Russian Embassy in Budapest issued a war statement.

March 18, 2024

Orbán cabinet concerned of what President Macron said about sending troops to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent remark not ruling out the option of sending western troops to Ukraine gives cause for concern, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Tuesday, emphasising Hungary’s rejection to send weapons to the neighbouring country.

“We insist on our position urging a ceasefire and call on the warring sides to start peace talks,” he told a conference of defence force, military and air attaches in Budapest.

“The war in Ukraine has entered into its most dangerous phase as the aggressor seems to be gaining ground, possibly pushing western decision-makers into taking action,” the minister said.

The time of peace in Europe has come to an end, two European, Christian nations have been fighting a terrible, bloody war for two years.” The “massacre” had yielded no military results, nor was one to be hoped for in the near future, he said.

Meanwhile, Csaba Dömötör, a state secretary at the cabinet office, said in a video on Facebook that “the moment has come when the president of France is suggesting surprisingly openly that European troops might be sent to the battlefield in Ukraine… I think we are very close to a proposal requesting Ukraine’s allies for troops to cross the border into Ukraine”.

He cited the Hungarian prime minister envisioning this scenario in an interview last year.

Dömötör concluded the video by reiterating the Hungarian government stance that “We support peace talks and peace”.

Read also:

Orbán on Navalny: Chauvinist does not deserve respect in the Hungarian Parliament – Read more HERE
Armed Ukrainian terror groups plan to execute Hungarian MPs?

February 28, 2024

Hungarian WWII resistance fighters reburied in Paris

Twenty-three martyrs of the French resistance movement including three Hungarians were reburied in Paris’s Pantheon on Wednesday, the 80th anniversary of their execution.

The resistance fighters belonging to the partisan group of Armenian poet and journalist Missak Manouchian were “foreigners, yet our brethren”, French President Emmanuel Macron said at the ceremony.

“Jews, Hungarians, Poles, Armenians, communists that sacrificed their lives for our homeland,” Macron said in an interview to the daily L’Humanite.

The group including Tamás Elek, Imre Békés Glasz and József Boczor belonged to the French Communist Party and carried out guerrilla attacks on the occupying German troops around Paris until they were captured by the Gestapo. They were executed on 21 February, 1944.

Read also:

February 22, 2024

Mysterious death of Hungarian Diplomat in Monaco: plunged from heights like Putin oligarchs did

The curious case of János Hóvári, a distinguished Hungarian diplomat, historian, and Turkology expert, continues to baffle authorities. Last August, tragedy struck as Hóvári plunged to his death from the 9th-floor window of an apartment in Monaco, leaving behind a cloud of unanswered questions.

As detailed in our previous report HERE, Hóvári’s untimely passing at the age of 68 marked the end of a long career dedicated to Ottoman history and global geopolitics. Renowned for his unwavering support of the University of Pécs and its students, he played a pivotal role in shaping minds and fostering academic excellence.

Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), offered heartfelt condolences, acknowledging Hóvári’s invaluable contributions to Hungary-Turkic States relations. “As a person who has dedicated his life to Turkology and gained a respected position in Hungarian diplomacy with his distinguished service as an Ambassador, Mr Hóvári has made great contributions to enhance comprehensive cooperation between Hungary and the Turkic States in his entire life.”

Yet, amidst accolades and mourning, the circumstances surrounding Hóvári’s demise remain shrouded in mystery. Despite exhaustive efforts by Magyar Hang to unravel the truth, their investigation hit dead ends at every turn.

Hungarian diplomat’s fatal fall from the 9th floor

Hóvári’s diplomatic journey spanned key postings, including ambassadorial roles in Israel (2000-2004), Kuwait and Bahrain (2008-2010), along with a tenure leading Hungary’s embassy in Ankara from 2012 to 2014. However, it was his tragic end in Monaco that captured headlines and speculation.

Based on the information of Magyar Hang, Hóvári’s fatal fall occurred under mysterious circumstances, with no witnesses to shed light on the events leading to his demise. Adding to the intrigue, the incident took place mere weeks before his scheduled wedding.

His funeral was held over a month later, on 9 October, in Budapest. Despite persistent inquiries, both the Monaco police and Hungarian foreign ministry remained tight-lipped. Informants hint at a brief police investigation swiftly concluded, raising suspicions of potential external involvement or clandestine interventions by the French secret service.

The Hungarian foreign ministry didn’t reply to the inquiries of Magyar Hang.

Read also:

New US travel sanctions against Hungary? – Read more HERE
Hungary will accept Sweden’s NATO bid next week? – Details in THIS article

February 13, 2024

PM Orbán’s only son, Captain Orbán serves in an African country

Orbán's only son serves in African country Orbán's son

Hungary has a military mission in Chad, many believe that is how PM Orbán tries to strengthen his relationship with President Macron, who he counts on in the European Union (and Chad is France’s last remaining ‘fortress’ in the Sahel region). Captain Gáspár Orbán, the prime minister’s only son, is a member of the Hungarian military mission in Chad. But nobody knows what exactly he is doing there.

Szabolcs Panyi, a Hungarian journalist, has been working to discover the reasons why Gáspár Orbán is in the North-African country. According to his Facebook post, after they asked questions concerning the issue and showed some photos of Captain Orbán to Hungarian diplomats, the Hungarian defence minister shared in an interview given to a Hungarian government-close news outlet that PM Orbán’s son has been serving in his cabinet preparing the Hungarian military’s Chad mission.

Later, a photo appeared on Index, showing Gáspár Orbán taking part in negotiations in Chad. In THIS Telex article, you may check out some more shots. Direkt36 (the news outlet Mr Panyi works for) might share more details about the issue later. But the big question leftist media outlets are asking now: what exactly does Captain Orbán do in Chad?

Read also:

PM Orbán’s son graduated from British RMA Sandhurst – Hungary paid his tuition fee – Read more HERE
Le Monde: PM Orbán’s son to evangelise 18-30-year-old intellectuals? – Details in THIS article

Here are some photos of Gáspár Orbán in Chad:

Behind the pillar:

Gáspár Orbán as a soldier:

Hungary Helps agency opens first African representative office

The Hungary Helps agency opened its first staffed representative office in Africa two weeks ago, in N’Djamena, the capital city of Chad, state secretary for the aid of persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program said.

Tristan Azbej told a conference dubbed Synergy between the EU and the Sub-Sahara region organised by the Sustainable Development Knowledge Centre that Hungarians owe solidarity and responsibility for Africa and its people. The Hungarian government recognised the significance of the continent ten years ago and launched its policy of opening to the south, he added.

Commenting on the Hungary Helps programme, he said Hungarian donations had been sent to more than 50 countries, 18 of which were in the Sub-Sahara region. Diplomatic presence is currently being increased in the region because Hungary wants to catch up on delays in the opening to the south scheme. As against two Hungarian diplomatic representative offices in the Sub-Sahara region in 2010, there are currently seven, he added.

Azbej announced at the event that the Hungary Helps Agency was inviting applications for Hungarian civil organisations to support their humanitarian and development activities in Africa.

Commenting on the war conflicts in the Sahel, he said if the region “fails and falls into chaos”, some 100 million refugees might set off, causing migratory pressure in Europe.

Concering the tasks of the new representative office in N’Djamena, he said Hungary follows the principle that the help offered is based on direct personal relations, and the office will seek to assess the demands of the people that need help.

January 28, 2024

PM Orbán talked to the French TF1 TV channel about Jacques Delors

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary was grateful to Jacques Delors “for what he did for us”, after attending the funeral service of the former European Commission president in Paris on Friday.

Orbán was invited to attend the ceremony by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking to French television TF1 on Friday evening, Orbán noted that Delors had paid a visit to communist Hungary in 1989.

He said Hungary had been preparing for a democratic transition and “I was active working in the anti-communist opposition movement; and he [Delors] had the courage to come and visit the country before the first free elections”.

“Therefore we in Hungary remember him as a European leader who fought, or at least tried to do something for the freedom and sovereignty of central European countries under Soviet occupation.”

Read also:

PM Orbán travelled to Paris
Orbán cabinet purges Budapest ticket, pass scheme: chaos may come in March – Read more HERE

Farewell from Jacques Delors, Orbán wrote below his relevant post:

In a video posted on his social media site, he called Delors Hungary’s friend:

January 6, 2024

PM Orbán travelled to Paris

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attended the funeral service of former European Commission President Jacques Delors in Paris on Friday, the PM’s press chief said.

Orbán was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron will also preside over a national tribute ceremony to Delors on Friday morning, Bertalan Havasi said.

Delors, who died aged 98 on December 27, lead the EC between 1985 and 1995. He played a key role in creating the euro, and shaping the common market, the Schengen Area, the Erasmus programmes and the Common Agricultural Policy.

Read also:

EXCLUSIVE – Shareholder’s warning: Budapest Airport’s purchase may not happen – Read more HERE

European commemoration, Orbán wrote under the photo he shared about the burial:

January 5, 2024

EXCLUSIVE – Shareholder’s warning: Budapest Airport’s purchase may not happen

According to Hungary’s Ministry of National Economy, the government may sign the relevant contract to buy Budapest Airport this spring. However, one of the shareholders sent us a message in which they clear that may not happen.

Márton Nagy, Hungary’s minister of national economy, a new ministry created after the Christmas festivities by PM Orbán, said the government would sign the relevant contracts with the shareholders of the Budapest Airport this spring. There are three shareholders: the German AviAlliance (54.44%), a Canadian pension fund, the Canadian Pension fund Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments, 21.23%), and Malton (Singapore) with 23.33%.

Mr Nagy added that negotiations were in a state that a contract might be signed soon. PM Orbán said on his 21 December international press conference that the airport’s purchase is a “finished issue”. He added only technicalities remained to discuss and agree on.

The European Commission approved the purchase of Hungary’s main airgate last December. The buyers will be the Hungarian state-owned Corvinus Investments and the French Vinci Airports. The majority of the shares will be in Hungarian hands, while the French will operate the airport. We wrote about that HERE.

The Hungarian government said they would include a Qatar state-owned investments fund. Furthermore, the Orbán cabinet promised to build a new terminal after the acquisition, airportal.hu wrote. Hvg.hu added that the Qatar fund would join the project as a financial or strategic investor.

Shareholder’s warning: Budapest Airport’s purchase may not happen

We received a letter lately from one of the shareholders of the Canadian pension fund writing that the purchase of the airport is not as sure as PM Orbán suggested at the last December press conference. Here is their unchanged email:

“I’m a share holder in the Canadian Pension fund Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) Canada. Shareholders still have not voted yet on the proposed offer from Hungarian authorities. It’s not a done deal.

Don’t listen to Hungarian authorities – of course, they will try to present a positive position. Contact the current owners for their perspective. There is still no agreement on price and value of transaction. Once it’s been agreed, then the offer must go before the shareholders for a vote.

The airport is currently operating very well. There is concern with the EU, that if the Hungarian government in any way becomes involved, it’s going to be unsuccessful; as was the case previously. This transaction is a long way from completion.”

December decision might serve as a compass

24.hu wrote that between 16 and 21 November, the three shareholders of the Budapest Airport’s owner company decided to separate their shares into three. That means they are preparing for an acquisition during which three new shareholders would replace the old ones.

AviAlliance created the following packages: 28.28%, 16.08% and 11.09%. Malton’s numbers are the following ones: 11.9%, 6.77%, 4.67%. Finally, here are the share packs of the Canadian pension fund: 10.83%, 6.16%, and 4.24%. If you add those numbers up, these are the new owner packages: 51% for the state-owned Hungarian Corvinus, 29% for the French and 20% for the Qatari investors.

24.hu added last December that it is not enough to reach an agreement with the shareholders. The Hungarian government must negotiate and agree with the airport’s creditors. The different types of loans concerning the airport reach EUR 1.5 billion.

Read also:

Everything you didn’t know about the World Airport Awards-winning Budapest Airport – Read more HERE
Warning: Wizz Air temporarily suspends several flights – you can find the relevant list in THIS article

January 5, 2024

Russians astonished by Orbán’s action at EU summit, Macron edgy

The Russians believe neither Ukraine nor Moldova met the strict requirements the European Union needs a member state to fulfil. Furthermore, they were astonished by Orbán’s action at the EU summit, saying no to Ukraine’s EU accession.

“Waiting for somebody to leave to decide in his absence. If that is true, it is a unique practice”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said about Orbán’s short departure from the EU summit this week. During his absence, the remaining leaders of the member states could decide about starting Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession process.

It seems President Putin liked the gesture. President Marcon said they could not convince Orbán, so German chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed him to leave during the decision. Meanwhile, the French president said Orbán was disrespectful for rejecting the EU’s budget modification, portfolio.hu wrote.

PM’s policy director: Hungary achieved strategic goals, managed to promote national interests

Hungary has achieved its strategic goals at the European Union summit both in connection with Ukraine’s accession talks and financial support, and has also managed to protect its national interests, the prime minister’s policy director said in Brussels on Friday. Balazs Orban told the Hungarian press that Hungary had made it clear in connection with Ukraine’s EU accession that it did not agree with the decision and considered it a mistake.

“Our theoretical position remains that Ukraine is not prepared for EU accession and therefore the relevant talks are not worth starting,” he added.

The approval of a 50 billion euro financial package for Ukraine would have seriously and immediately harmed Hungary’s interests, he said.

“The EU wants to finance a failed strategy which makes no sense,” he added.

Commenting on the post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) interest cost increase, he said that as long as Hungary does not receive any money, it cannot approve any further decision.

Hungary maintains its position under which the decision must be postponed, probably to early next year, he said. Additionally, the European Council has set a task for the European Commission “to deal with the problems of Hungarians”, he added.

“It will show whether the funds due to be paid to Hungary arrive in order or Brussels continues its political blackmail,” he said.

“Additionally, it will be possible to assess if the EC is open to discussions on important issues for Hungary in connection with the amendment of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF),” Orban said. “If it is, then the talks can be continued but if it isn’t, then the budget will stay as it is,” he added.

Hungary does not see a need to amend the EU’s 2021-2027 budget, he said.

Read also:

PM Orbán vetoed EU’s EUR 50 bn for Ukraine, said Hungarian’s money go to Kyiv
Government rewrites rules in the hotel sector in Hungary – Read more HERE

UPDATED: Hungary’s green party supports Ukraine’s EU accession, would amend agricultural support system

LMP supports Ukraine’s European Union accession as a long-term strategic goal but it would amend the system of EU agricultural subsidies in order to preserve sustainability, a national board member of the opposition party said on Saturday.

Mária Szendefy told an online press conference that LMP also insisted on maintaining the EU’s GMO free status.

She said Ukraine’s EU accession in due time would be a welcome development for ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia because it would result in more transparent borders and direct links with Hungary.

In terms of geopolitical aspects and security policy, it would also be better for Hungary to have another neighbour that is an EU member, she added.

At the same time, she said Ukraine’s agriculture was ruled by mostly US large investors farming areas of several thousand hectares. Since EU agricultural policy supports farmers depending on the size of their agricultural land, with Ukraine’s accession support to all other countries would be much less than what Ukraine would be eligible for, she added.

As a result, new EU regulations are needed, giving priority to smaller farms, she said. Large farms should be allowed to succeed on fully market-based conditions, in certain cases with protective duties, she added.

Szendefy said it was a basic requirement that the EU must remain GMO-free and she condemned attempts to loosen the current strict regulations.

December 16, 2023

Orbán to meet French President Macron in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for a working dinner in Paris on Thursday, Orbán’s press chief confirmed.

According to information released by the French president’s office, the two leaders will discuss issues on the agenda of the European Council meeting on 14 and 15 December, including European support to Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and matter concerning European Union enlargement. EU security and defence, and the review of the 2021-2027 financial framework will also be discussed.

Read also:

December 6, 2023

Hungary joins declaration on tripling nuclear capacity

Hungary joined the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai on Saturday.

The 22 signatory countries have pledged to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The declaration was initiated by French president Emmanuel Macron, the state secretary for energy and climate policy, Attila Steiner, said in a statement.

Steiner said the aim was to further increase nuclear capacity as nuclear energy was an important source of carbon-free energy production.

More than 80,000 delegates, including 140 heads of state and government, are attending the COP28 conference.

Read also:

Hungarian government insists on Russian nuclear power: amendment to Paks contract signed

December 2, 2023

The operator of Budapest Airport will change: here is what follows

The Orbán government has been planning to buy Budapest Airport from its German-Canadian owners for a while. Since the price was too high, they sought a partner. At first, it seemed the second investor would come from the Middle East, but now it is clear that the French will be those who may acquire not only 49% of the shares but also the right to operate Hungary’s most crowded airport.

The price of Budapest Airport is high for the Hungarian state budget that is struggling with an economic depression. Based on the latest news, the offer towards the German and Canadian owners was around EUR 4 billion. The Hungarian government needs to find at least half of the price, while the other half will be covered by the French partners.

That is why the Orbán cabinet sold its shares in two insurer companies, the Alfa and the Union. However, that transaction may bring “only” EUR 480 million. Therefore, the government issued Eurobonds, and the talk is about a possible French loan. Despite the problems of the Hungarian economy, it seems the Orbán cabinet decided to acquire the airport, no matter the costs and the difficulties.

What will the transaction mean for us, passengers?

At first sight, not much. But, unfortunately, we cannot see many things.

According to the official gazette of the European Union, the French Vinci Airports and the Hungarian state (the Corvinus International Investment Ltd) will buy Budapest Airport. The European Commission will investigate the transaction in a simplified procedure. All third parties have the right to submit their remarks on the issue in the ten days following 28 November.

Interestingly, a Canadian pension fund (PSP Investments) and a German company owned the shares of the Budapest Airport. The European Union’s official gazette wrote that PSP Investments will get operation rights in the international airport of Athens through AviAlliance, a company they own.

The European Commission decided on the transaction. AviAlliance currently operates the international airports of Budapest, Athens, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Puerto Rico, turizmus.com, a Hungarian travel and tourism news outlet, wrote.

Read also:

Scandal on Lufthansa’s Budapest flight: Canadian man suffered burns – Read more HERE
New destinations from Budapest Airport in the winter season – Details in THIS article

December 2, 2023

Hungarian Iron Lady is planning a big comeback

After conquering the arenas of Athens, Peking, London, Rio, Tokyo, and embracing motherhood, Katinka Hosszú gears up for her sixth Olympics—this time, in Paris in 2024.

In an interview with Index, she talked about the challenges of balancing motherhood with the rigorous demands of professional athleticism. The topic of the Paris Olympics also came up and it’s safe to say our Iron Lady is still going strong.

The challenges of motherhood

As for the challenge of juggling motherhood and sustaining a professional athletic career, she described the experience particularly unique, adding that no one can be entirely prepared for parenthood before it happens to them. The unpredictable timetable stands in stark contrast to the meticulously planned life she led as a professional athlete. Back then, every minute of her life was planned out, while now she has to face the uncertainty of sleep and a flexible timetable. Working her daily tasks around the needs of her baby is a learning process, she admits. In addition, she’s also managing multiple projects at the same time. Iron Swim is going strong and her plans with the swimming academy seem to be taking shape, although she hasn’t shared any information about that yet. All in all, she remains optimistic about her ongoing and future ventures.

Training vigorously

Despite the demands of a newborn, born in August, she swiftly returned to the pool. Even though it’s medically advised to abstain from any sport for at least six weeks after giving birth, she couldn’t stay away from her passion that long. Currently clocking two to three hours of daily training, a significant reduction from her previous eight or nine hours, she describes the adjustments made necessary by her new reality. However, it still sounds like a miraculous achievement for a new mum. She adds, that her trainings have gotten much more condensed because of the lack of time on her hands. She doesn’t even leave her home when it comes to her land-based fitness training as it can be conveniently done there, too.

Next destination: Paris?

Katinka revealed that her plans are coming along nicely. If all goes well she can get back in the racing pool in the spring. That’s when the qualifying finals for the Olympics take place. Prior to that, a strategic training camp is on the horizon, most probably in Dubai, where the warm weather promises an intense preparation. She is confident about getting back in shape and in her abilities to regain her full strength by the time of the Olympics. It’s no secret that success at the event would be the pinnacle of her career, and she does see a real chance for qualifying for the Olympics. Her main focus remains on the individual medley, specifically the 200 and 400 metres, and that’s mostly what she’s preparing for. Finally, Katinka revealed that she can’t wait to prove herself once again at the Paris Olympics.

Read more about the Iron Lady HERE.
Read more about a popular winter sport opportunity HERE.

November 28, 2023

Next Friday Budapest Airport may get a new owner: everything will change?

The government has to conclude the business, but there is not enough money. How will Orbán get the needed sum?

Buying up Hungary’s main airgate, the Budapest Airport, is one of the most important goals of the fifth Orbán government. Before the elections, we received only gossip and guesses about how the deal will be closed. Now we know more.

Currently, Canadian and German firms own the shares of the Budapest Airport, so we can say that it is in foreign hands. After the deal, 51% of the shares will be in the ownership of the Hungarian state, while another 49% will be in the hands of Vinci Airports. The latter is the world’s nr 1 airport manager, operating 65 airports in 13 countries. We can say they have the know-how. That is probably why they will get the management rights. As a result, Budapest Airport’s operation will no longer be in the hands of a German but a French company, telex.hu wrote.

We wrote HERE why and how the Orbán cabinet would like to create a much more friendly relationship with the French. Apart from the fact that they would like to cooperate with Macron against the so-called American “conquest” of the EU, the Hungarian prime minister counts on his French partner to defend Hungary’s (the government’s) interests in the European Union, even against the European Commission. For example, they would like the French to help Hungary get the euro billions Brussels froze due to rule of law concerns. Probably that is why Hungary sent military and other help to Chad in Africa. In return, that is why Marcon said Orbán’s meeting with Putin in Beijing might become fruitful for the Western alliance.

A clear sign of the weakening German ties is that Construction and Development Minister János Lázár talked about sending home German and Austrian companies because the government would like to see Hungarians flourishing in the construction and building material sector.

Budapest Airport costs way too much: money collection started

We wrote before that the French might partner with the Hungarian government to buy the Budapest Airport. However, the business is not easy for Budapest because the state treasury is empty.

Therefore, the government sold its shares in two Hungarian insurer companies (Alfa and Union) for an estimated sum of EUR 480 million. One of the pressing questions is whether that money will flow into the budget by next Friday.

But that is not enough. We do not know how much Budapest Airport will cost. Sources talk about EUR 3 billion. That means the above-mentioned EUR 480 million is just 1/3rd of the needed money.

The rest may come from the government’s Eurobonds and allegedly a French loan. That would be the third big foreign loan after the Chinese for the Belrade-Budapest railway and the Russian for the Paks NPP expansion.

The question is whether Orbán can get enough money in time. We will know more by next Friday when the deal will probably be announced. Whether Budapest Airport will be better or worse after the French take its management is something for the future.

Read also:

Budapest revealed as the seventh-biggest tourist hotspot in Europe – Read more HERE
Another astonishing Christmas fair and ice rink opened in Budapest’s downtown

November 26, 2023