Hungary granted asylum to Marcin Romanowski, former Polish deputy justice minister
Marcin Romanowski, the former Polish deputy justice minister, has been granted asylum by Hungary, Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office said in an interview with online news portal Mandiner. He also said that there is a rule of law in Poland.
Hungary grants asylum to Marcin Romanowski
Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed the news about Marcin Romanowski’s political asylum in Hungary to Mandiner. Former Polish Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski has reportedly sought and been granted political asylum in Hungary. According to Hungarian and EU law, the asylum was granted after Romanowski faced what has been described as a breach of due process in Poland.
Gulyás said there had been proof of the lack of fair procedure in the case of the former deputy justice minister who was arrested this summer despite being protected by immunity in his capacity as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Gulyás said Romanowski was released only after an official complaint had been submitted by the assembly’s president to Polish authorities. A court in Poland confirmed that the arrest had violated laws.
Serious allegations
While Marcin Romanowski faces allegations of serious crimes involving damage to state assets in Poland, his arrest occurred despite his immunity. According to Gulyás, the Hungarian state, which granted him political asylum, cannot assess the validity of the charges or access details of the Polish proceedings. He further explained that political asylum is awarded when there is significant doubt about the impartiality and independence of judicial processes in the applicant’s home country. In this instance, concerns about political influence in Poland’s legal system, particularly in Romanowski’s case, were deemed sufficient to justify the asylum, the Hungarian politician explained to Mandiner.
How will this affect the relationship between the two countries?
Gergely Gulyás underlined that Hungary did not interfere in other countries’ domestic politics but it was necessary to state that a constitutional crisis had developed in Poland since last year’s elections as a result of the Tusk government’s actions. He added that for instance, the Polish government failed to carry out the decisions of the Polish constitutional court, and “criminal law was being used as a tool against political rivals”.
The decision to grant asylum to Marcin Romanowski is unlikely to ease tensions between Hungary and Poland, but Hungarian authorities have maintained a consistent stance on asylum since 2015. They argue that individuals fleeing war or political persecution, such as former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, should be granted refugee status regardless of any political disputes. Hungary emphasises the distinction between migration and the protection of genuine refugees.
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Hungary faces point of no return under Orbán, says Polish minister – from experience
Hungary may have reached a point where it cannot reverse its defiance of EU laws and erosion of civil society as long as Viktor Orbán remains in power, Poland’s justice minister, Adam Bodnar, has warned.
Drawing from Poland’s recent experience, Bodnar stated that illiberal governments rarely change course under external pressure without a change in leadership. Speaking to Politico in Brussels, he explained,
“The example of Poland shows that unless you have a change of leadership, it might be extremely difficult to reverse [course on] rule of law and to regain democratic values.”
His remarks come in response to EU Rule-of-Law Commissioner Michael McGrath’s recent statement that it is “never too late” for Hungary to align with EU principles. However, Hungary risks losing EUR 1 billion in frozen EU funds due to ongoing rule-of-law violations.
Even if Orbán is defeated, it will not be easy to repair the damage
Bodnar cautioned that even if opposition leader Péter Magyar defeats Orbán in the 2026 election, the extensive damage to Hungary’s institutions and civil society after 16 years of Fidesz rule would require immense effort to repair. With a weaker civil society compared to Poland, the European Commission faces a daunting task in reintegrating Hungary into the EU fold, he added.
Having served as Poland’s Ombudsman from 2015 to 2021, Bodnar was a vocal critic of the nationalist Law and Justice government before becoming justice minister under Prime Minister Donald Tusk in 2023.
His comments coincide with preparations for Poland to take over the EU Council presidency from Hungary in January. Bodnar emphasised strengthening civil society protections across the bloc, especially for judges facing pressure and intimidation.
“Judges must be free to speak about their circumstances,” he said, referencing the challenges Hungarian judges face. “We have a duty to protect all independent voices.”
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Hungary calls for stronger Visegrád cooperation and economic integration at V4 Business Conference
Hungary is ready to develop further the successful cooperation among the Visegrád Group — Hungary, Czechia, Poland and Slovakia — and strengthen trade and economic ties, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at a conference in Budapest on Thursday.
Addressing the Visegrád 4 Business Conference, Szijjártó called V4 cooperation an “important element” of Hungary’s foreign policy strategy, his ministry said in a statement. He added that the V4 had improved the positions of its members on the European stage.
He warned against initiatives in the EU to decouple the economies of the East and the West and pointed to the V4’s earlier negative experience with blocs. Isolation can cause “serious damage” to Europe’s economy, he said, adding that Hungary was an advocate for connectivity and had adopted a policy of economic neutrality.
He said Hungary had become a “meeting point” for investments from the East and the West and was home to manufacturing bases of all three premium German car brands and five of the ten biggest Asian battery makers.
He said the V4 should concentrate on “pragmatic issues” and noted that Slovakia was now Hungary’s second-biggest trade partner, while Poland was the third-biggest and Czechia the sixth-biggest.
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Polish TVN in the crosshairs: Hungarian TV2 owner plans bold acquisition amid Russian influence fears
According to local media, the Hungarian television network TV2’s owner is looking to acquire TVN, Poland’s largest TV station, raising concerns in Warsaw about hidden Russian influence.
Following the 2023 Polish elections, the right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS), led by Jarosław Kaczyński, lost its grip on both political power and the state broadcaster, TVP. TVP had played a key role in PiS’s media strategy, serving as a platform for pro-government propaganda. Without this tool, Kaczyński emphasised the need for the right wing to secure a new major television channel. In response, PiS shifted its focus to Poland’s commercial broadcasters, with TVN, the country’s most-watched private network, becoming a primary target.
According to 444, TVP acted as a major propaganda tool for the ruling PiS party for years, similar to Hungary’s public media under Fidesz. The channel pushed controversial narratives, including warnings of an LGBTQ “invasion” under opposition rule and publishing fake photos to discredit Donald Tusk and his family. While PiS’s propaganda helped rally its core supporters, it failed to attract broader public backing. After Tusk’s Civic Platform won the elections in October and formed a coalition government, they quickly replaced PiS loyalists running public media. Despite protests, PiS lost its primary media stronghold.
Throughout PiS’s seven years in power, Poland’s media landscape remained more diverse than Hungary’s, with independent newspapers and TV stations maintaining influence. This diversity allowed for independent opinions within both opposition and right-wing media, contrasting Hungary’s more uniform pro-government messaging. However, the PiS leadership continued to believe in the dominance of opposition media, particularly foreign-owned outlets, which they viewed as adversaries. The government repeatedly pushed for “repolonisation,” aiming to increase Polish ownership in the media sector, especially in response to German-controlled media companies.
In 2021, PiS sought to curb the influence of TVN, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, through a law designed to limit the stakes non-EU companies could hold in Polish media. This legislation, widely known as “Lex TVN,” was ultimately blocked, when President Andrzej Duda, who had been nominated by PiS, refused to sign the bill into law. According to reports, Duda’s decision was influenced by U.S. President Joe Biden, due to concerns about restricting American media ownership in Poland. As a result, PiS had to look for other ways to gain influence over TVN.
Hungarian interests emerge in TVN acquisition
Now, reports indicate that PiS is seeking to acquire TVN with the help of Hungarian business interests. As reported by Blikk, the Hungarian TV2 network, owned by József Vida, has emerged as a potential buyer for TVN. The deal could involve an investment of at least HUF 500 billion (more than EUR 1.2 billion). However, Polish media outlets have raised concerns about this possible acquisition, particularly regarding the financial backing behind Vida.
In addition to TV2, other bidders are reportedly interested in purchasing TVN. These include an unnamed American broadcaster and the PFF Group, a Dutch-registered company originally founded by the late Czech billionaire Petr Kellner. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns TVN, is facing financial difficulties, with its stock having dropped by 70% over the past two and a half years. This situation could make the company more willing to sell its Polish assets.
Alleged Russian influence and concerns over national security
Though József Vida owns TV2, his wealth may not be enough to finance such a large transaction. This has fueled speculation that the actual financial backing may come from other figures within Hungary’s National Cooperation System (NER), particularly Lőrinc Mészáros, a Hungarian oligarch closely tied to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Mészáros has previously been linked to Russian business interests, including ownership of the luxury yacht Rose d’Or, which was once connected to Russian oligarch Konstantin Strukov. Due to these ties, the Polish government has expressed concerns about potential Russian influence over the media market, especially given Hungary’s historically friendly ties with Moscow. Polish officials have even alerted the United States to the potential security risks associated with this acquisition.
The potential acquisition of TVN by Hungarian interests, with alleged Russian ties, has sparked concerns in Poland and the broader geopolitical arena. For PiS, gaining control over the country’s largest private broadcaster would be a significant victory in regaining media influence. However, the involvement of foreign entities, particularly those with suspected Russian links, has raised concerns in both Poland and the United States, leading to heightened scrutiny of the potential sale.
- Read about Warner Bros. Discovery’s plans to sell their Polish asset here
- Learn more about Lőrinc Mészáros and his ties to Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán here
- … and his yacht previously owned by a Russian oligarch here
Featured image: depositphotos.com
PHOTOS: The Hungarian President in Auschwitz
President Tamás Sulyok commemorated the victims of the Holocaust at a visit at the Auschwitz memorial site and museum on Saturday.
Sulyok laid a wreath at the “Death Wall”, where thousands of people were executed by firing squad during the second world war. He lit a candle in commemoration of the Hungarian victims of the holocaust in Camp 1, and at the Hungarian-language plaque at Camp 2.
In the guest book, Sulyok wrote: “I came because all Hungarians should come here once, so they can see what human evil can do. We can’t forget or replace the lives destroyed here. Many of them were my compatriots, one of us. Walking among the barracks, I feel that pain or sadness is not enough. We need a determined commitment to good and against evil. We can’t let any more people be taken away from us.”
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President Sulyok: Hungary serving Europe and its citizens in a responsible way – PHOTOS
Hungary is serving Europe and its citizens in a responsible way, President Tamás Sulyok said after the annual meeting of the Arraiolos Group, in Cracow on Friday.
Hungary and Poland have a bond through their thousand-year history, and Hungary has a similarly strong bond with Europe, he told a press conference.
“Europe is for us about our Christian faith and values and about our self-identity. We Hungarians view Europe as a free community of sovereign nations that share the same cultural roots and values,” the president said.
Hungary is for this reason committed to strengthening Europe and the European communities, protecting the continent’s interests and preserving its peace, he said.
Speaking to Hungarian journalists, Sulyok said the meeting had addressed issues affecting Europe and the global geopolitical situation including the Russia-Ukraine war, energy security, the EU’s competitiveness, economic problems and EU enlargement.
The participants were in agreement that further delaying progress in the integration of the Western Balkans countries would compromise the EU’s credibility in those countries.
Sulyok said that the topic of next month’s US elections also came up and the meeting’s position was that it would not basically influence the situation regarding Europe’s defence capabilities.
“We all were in agreement that the US and NATO are important stakeholders in providing for Europe’s security, yet, Europe’s defence capabilities must be strengthened.”
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Tineke Strik in Budapest: EU aims to protect the Hungarians from concentration of power and corruption
Tineke Strik, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the rule of law in Hungary visited Budapest last week. In an interview, she shared her general opinion on Hungary, as well as insights into the rule of law issue, frozen EU funds and the lack of Erasmus programme opportunities for Hungarian youth.
Tineke Strik in Hungary
Tineke Strik, the Dutch Green Party MEP and newly appointed European Parliament rapporteur on the rule of law in Hungary, visited Budapest last week. In an interview with Telex, she discussed her perspective on Hungary’s rule of law situation, her thoughts on the EU’s actions, and her efforts to engage with the Hungarian government. Strik also noted that this was not her first visit, having been to Hungary multiple times, including during her university career and twice in her last parliamentary term, both for rule of law concerns.
Judgement on Hungary
Tineke Strik, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the rule of law in Hungary, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the country. She highlighted growing issues such as smear campaigns, state propaganda, and the targeting of teachers, judges, and NGOs, which are fostering a climate of fear and control throughout society. Strik criticised the government for creating insecurity by using emergency powers to bypass institutions like the National Assembly.
Although she attempted to engage with government representatives, her requests for meetings were declined. Instead, she consulted with the Fundamental Rights Commissioner and the Integrity Authority, as well as visiting regions beyond Budapest to gain a broader perspective.
The rule of law issue
Tineke Strik criticised the ineffectiveness of the Article 7 procedure, which has been ongoing for six years without significant action. She expressed frustration that despite numerous hearings, EU Member States have not made any formal recommendations to address Hungary’s rule of law breaches. Strik noted that reluctance among Member States to criticise each other and fear of exposing divisions in the Council of Ministers has stalled progress, with many adopting a short-term approach.
Strik also addressed the Hungarian government’s argument regarding the suspension of Article 7 in Poland, acknowledging that the EU’s swift action in resuming funding might have given Hungary an excuse to undermine the procedure. However, she highlighted that Poland’s new government has introduced a plan to restore the rule of law. Strik believes more time should have been taken to assess Poland’s situation to avoid the perception of double standards.
EU funds and Erasmus
During the interview, Tineke Strik reacted to the Hungarian government’s criticism that the European Parliament seeks to cut off funds from Hungarian citizens. She emphasised that the EU’s actions aim to protect the Hungarian people from the concentration of power and corruption. Strik criticised the misuse of EU funds, which she argues are benefiting corrupt politicians and oligarchs rather than citizens. She highlighted the need for greater transparency and support for Hungarian movements fighting for the rule of law, warning that lifting the current freeze on funds would only enable further corruption.
Strik also acknowledged the negative impact on citizens, such as Hungarian students being excluded from Erasmus programmes. She called for exceptions to be made to ensure young people can experience life in free societies, which may shift public opinion. Strik stressed that ongoing reforms agreed between the Hungarian government and the European Commission must be implemented in practice, not just on paper. She urged the European Commission to take a more critical approach to ensure genuine judicial independence and effective anti-corruption measures, warning that once EU funds are unfrozen, it would be harder to halt them again if reforms are not fully realised.
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Orbán’s Fidesz expressed that they stood by the Polish opposition
Hungary stands by the politicians of Polish opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party and condemns all forms of politically-motivated targeting, the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee said on Wednesday.
Speaking to MTI by phone after a debate at the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, Zsolt Németh said the assembly had voted on lifting the immunity of Marcin Romanowski, Poland’s former deputy justice minister.
Németh said Romanowski was a target of the political transition led by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and the country’s judiciary was under “serious pressure” from Poland’s new political majority.
Németh, as the leader of the Council of Europe’s conservative assembly group, said the group had pushed for the rejection of the Polish government’s motion to lift Romanowski’s immunity, but the left-wing majority approved it. Németh said the conservative group believed this went against the fundamental norms of defence.
He said it could be expected that Romanowski would be arrested again, adding that the European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance assured the politician of its support and solidarity.
Németh said Hungary condemned all forms of politically-motivated targeting, adding: “We were also on the receiving end of it, and we also valued the support of the Poles.”
Wednesday’s debate, he said, also covered the Council of Europe report on Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said that since the 2018 report, the country had met the conditions set by both the European Union and the CoE, noting that it had passed laws related to fighting corruption and judicial independence.
This, he said, had opened the door to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration and paved the way for the EU granting it candidate country status in March this year.
“We would like Bosnia and Herzegovina to start meaningful accession talks with the European Union,” he said, adding that the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU was looking at ways to accelerate the European integration of the Western Balkan countries.
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Putin’s blacklist snubs Hungary, includes Poland among nations of ‘destructive ideology’
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree labelling Poland as a state driven by a “destructive neoliberal ideology.” Citizens from such nations are deemed eligible for “humanitarian assistance.” Interestingly, Hungary and Slovakia, both EU members, have been left off this list.
According to Mediazona, an independent Russian news site, Russia has compiled a list of 47 countries whose ideologies supposedly clash with “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values,” Paraméter reports. This list includes EU nations like Poland, as well as Ukraine, the U.S., Canada, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
Notably, Slovakia and Hungary are the only EU countries absent from the blacklist. Among NATO members, Turkey was also excluded.
Sources familiar with the decree, signed by Putin on Thursday, reveal that it was drafted by the Russian Foreign Ministry and officially approved under presidential orders.
The decree outlines that citizens from these blacklisted countries who wish to relocate to Russia and embrace its traditional values will receive “humanitarian support.” This includes granting temporary residency even without the usual requirements, such as Russian language proficiency or knowledge of the country’s history and legal system.
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Polish investor to build 200-room hotel in downtown Budapest
A Polish subsidiary of the Puro Hotels chain is set to construct a 200-room hotel on Paulay Ede Street in downtown Budapest.
New hotel in downtown Budapest
According to HVG, the company operates several modern, four-star hotels across Europe. Construction began last October, and the new complex will feature a restaurant, café, bar, meeting rooms, a spa, and a fitness centre.
The Hungarian firm established for this hotel investment, Hotel Budapest Paulay Ltd., reported assets exceeding HUF 5.5 billion (approx. EUR 14 million) by the end of last year.
The downtown project was acquired from Jordanian businessman Awad Zuhair, who has been involved in various tourism investments in Budapest. The site previously housed a residential building designed by architect József Hild and features an extensive wine cellar system beneath it.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
Sad sight: Dozens of Wizz Air aircraft grounded at former Polish military base – VIDEO
A significant portion of Wizz Air’s grounded Airbus A321neo fleet, affected by Pratt & Whitney engine issues, is being stored at the former military airport of Bydgoszcz Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Poland. The grounded A321neo/A320neo planes can be seen in a video from the AviSpace channel, which captured a flight between Warsaw and Bydgoszcz.
Lots of Wizz Air aircraft grounded in Poland
According to Wizz Air’s latest update from the end of June, the airline had to ground 46 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft due to contamination of key parts in the new generation Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM GTF engines.
As AIRportal.hu reported back in August, nearly 500 A320neo planes are grounded globally. It’s expected that an average of 350 aircraft will undergo engine inspections and maintenance simultaneously through 2026.
With a limited number of replacement engines available, some planes could remain out of service for up to a year.
Each affected aircraft is likely to remain grounded for around 300 days while the engines are refurbished with new parts.
The long repair time is due to the complex nature of the process: engines must be removed, transported to manufacturer-approved service centers with limited capacity, and almost entirely disassembled to replace the affected components.
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Territorial defence forces’ role increasing, says Hungarian army commander at Moonstar 2024
The role of territorial defence forces will increase in future and every nation has already gained experience in this field which they are ready to share at the current Moonstar 2024 multinational military exercise, the commander of the Hungarian army’s territorial defence forces said in a military base in western Hungary on Wednesday.
Moonstar 2024
Speaking to reporters in Hajmáskér, László Drót noted that Hungary and neighbouring countries had started to set up territorial defence forces during the past seven years.
“The Hungarian Armed Forces can gain from the experience of Poles in building up territorial defence systems at the exercise, and they can learn certain components of Hungary’s training method,” the commander said, adding that the participating troops were learning about the arms and methods of the other nations.
The Moonstar exercise also has Croatian, Slovenian and Czech observers present, said Drót.
“In a first chapter of Moonstar 2024, the Hungarian and US army held a joint shooting exercise at the beginning of the year,” he added.
According to a press release distributed at the scene, the current exercise is being held between Sept 2 and 13 with 190 Hungarian, Polish and Slovak territorial defence force reserves.
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Europe’s biggest online webshop enters Hungary this year
The Polish Allegro, an online e-commerce platform, plans to come to Hungary this year. News broke after the company started communicating about entering the market with its trade partners.
According to Forbes, a Hungarian economy-focused news platform, even a September start is possible if we believe gossip. On the allegro.hu website, the welcome message says one of Europe’s biggest online platforms will arrive in Hungary. Furthermore, the company allowed traders supporting the Czech and Slovak markets to list their products in Hungary.
The signs of them coming to Hungary do not end there. In Warsaw and Prague, the company is searching for professionals speaking fluent Hungarian. Forbes believes the company would benefit from starting operations before the Black Friday-Christmas period.
Allegro neither denied nor affirmed the information.
Europe’s biggest online webshop will enter Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia
The first gossip about Allegro in Hungary appeared in 2023. Market players talked about Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian expansion in two years. The Polish platform arrived in Czechia last year and started operation in Slovakia this year.
They offer hundreds of millions of products from 150,000 trade partners, but some partners’ products are unavailable in some countries.
In an information leaflet, the Polish company promises their partners 10 million potential consumers in Hungary. However, the Hungarian market does not even reach 4 million. According to a January report of GKID, in 2023, 3.9 million people living in Hungary submitted an online order. In Q1 2024, that number grew by 300,000 because of the so-called ‘Temu effect‘.
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Struggling media giant Warner Bros. Discovery: Hungarian group emerges as potential rescuer
TV2 Média, a prominent Hungarian broadcaster, has been identified as a potential buyer for Warner Bros. Discovery’s Polish assets, according to industry sources. This development comes as the Hollywood giant faces financial challenges, including declining stock prices and mounting competition from streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney. Warner Bros. Discovery, despite being a major player in the global media industry, is reportedly considering selling off parts of its Polish operations to improve its financial position.
The Financial Times recently highlighted the company’s efforts to avoid breaking up its business, as executives race against time to reverse its sliding fortunes, Economx writes. The assets in question include the TVN Group, which owns one of Poland’s largest commercial television networks. Selling these assets could significantly improve the financial outlook of Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns CNN and HBO.
Warner Bros. Discovery in struggles
The media conglomerate has been under pressure since its merger with Discovery in 2022, a move that was expected to generate substantial returns but has fallen short of expectations. A key factor in the company’s struggles has been the growing dominance of streaming services, which has led to an 8% decline in revenue from its television segment.
It remains unclear whether Warner Bros. Discovery is only looking to sell its terrestrial channels in Poland, such as TVN, TVN7, TTV, and Metro, or if it is also considering divesting its pay-TV channels and the Player streaming service.
Industry observers are speculating about potential buyers. Jakub Bierzyński, head of the consulting firm OMD Poland, noted that investment funds are unlikely candidates since they typically seek high-growth opportunities, which TVN does not currently represent. Local TV companies are also expected to show little interest in acquiring a competitor, while Polish media tycoon Zygmunt Solorz, one of the country’s wealthiest individuals, might face regulatory hurdles if he attempted to expand his influence in the TV advertising market.
As a result, the most likely buyer is expected to come from abroad. Potential candidates include Greece’s Antenna Group, which operates in Romania, Moldova, and Cyprus, France’s Canal+, and MFE-Mediaforeurope (formerly Mediaset), founded by the late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Another contender is the Czech PPF Group.
Hungarian TV2 as a potential buyer
However, Polish media has also identified TV2 Média as a serious potential buyer. The Hungarian broadcaster is owned by József Vida, a banker with close ties to Lőrinc Mészáros, Hungary’s second-richest person and a close associate of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
This wouldn’t be TV2’s first attempt to enter the Polish market. Earlier this year, the company made a bid for a terrestrial TV frequency under the name PTV, planning to launch a lifestyle and entertainment channel. Although the company registered the name and logo, it ultimately did not receive the broadcasting license.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
Szijjártó: ‘Bad’ to watch Poland’s diplomacy ‘sink into mud of lies’
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said late on Monday that he had great respect for Polish diplomacy, so it was “bad to watch it sinking into a mud of lies”.
Szijjártó talks about Polish diplomacy
He said on Facebook that he would “reiterate for the thousandth time” that during Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent peace mission, the prime minister was representing Hungary and not the European Union.
The Foreign Minister said it was not wise to talk about isolation in the case of a prime minister and government that were the only ones left in Europe still able to maintain relations both with the West and the East.
“We’re waiting for our Polish brothers to return to central Europe,” he said.
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Hungarian FM Szijjártó: Polish FM is “also sticking to provocation”
International diplomacy has gained strength since the Hungarian “peace mission”, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday.
Szijjártó talks about Hungarian ‘peace mission’
“Finally more and more people are speaking to each other, and this is good news, because the way to peace is through negotiations,” Szijjártó said on Facebook.
He said China’s foreign minister and the US secretary of state had held talks at a recent ASEAN forum, and the Russian foreign minister had also spoken with his South Korean counterpart.
“It would be good if the Europeans also noticed this, but it appears that understanding is slower here.” the minister said.
Szijjártó said Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was “also sticking to provocation”, adding that he was “used to this”, as they sit next to each other in EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings.
He added, however, that Sikorski had “crossed another line by lying” when he had said that the Hungarian foreign minister had backed his “nonsensical proposal” for the next informal meeting of EU foreign ministers to be held in Ukraine.
Szijjártó said that in reality he had immediately objected to the proposal at the meeting, adding that there would not be a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Ukraine.
“And we’ll continue working on restoring the long-term security of our oil supply,” he said, adding that on Monday morning he had again spoken with his Russian and Slovak counterparts, Sergey Lavrov and Juraj Blanar.
Szijjártó said he maintained that Ukraine was in breach of its association agreement with the EU by “endangering the security of our energy supply”.
He said they were constantly analysing the possible legal and technical solutions that “guarantee our unimpeded oil supply regardless of the Ukrainian transit ban”.
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Delightful news: Hungarian film secures the Grand Prix at New Horizons International Film Festival
The Hungarian film by Gábor Reisz has already garnered international awards and recognition. Last Saturday, the film won the Grand Prix at the Polish New Horizons International Film Festival in Wrocław
Hungarian film’s success at international film festival
As HVG writes, Hungarian filmmaker Gábor Reisz won the Grand Prix at the New Horizons International Film Festival‘s gala ceremony on Saturday evening for his film, “Explanation for Everything”. The jury praised the film for its inventive approach to social division, highlighting its resonance beyond Hungary to the wider world. They commended Reisz for his ability to convey complex themes with simplicity, despite the film’s modest resources. This recognition underscores the power of Hungarian cinema in addressing universal issues through an innovative yet straightforward lens.
Further acknowledgements
The festival, which began on 20 July and concludes this Sunday, featured 285 films from 80 countries, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic talent. Reisz’s third feature film, which was made without direct state support, debuted at last year’s Venice Film Festival, where it won the Horizons section’s top prize. Since then, it has received recognition in Chicago, France, Italy, Slovakia, and Germany, further establishing the global impact and appeal of Hungarian cinema.
You can watch the trailer of the film here:
https://youtu.be/xsxsjd47AEE?si=_fYaGl0Ntskc6KKV
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Diplomatic rift erupts between Poland and Hungary over Orbán’s controversial speech
A diplomatic row has flared up between Poland and Hungary following a speech by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the Tusványos Summer University event in Baile Tusnad, Romania.
In his address, Orbán criticized Poland’s geopolitical ambitions, their relationship with the United States, and their efforts to weaken Russia and outpace Germany economically. He labelled Polish policies as “hypocritical,” accusing Poland of conducting business with Russia while morally lecturing others.
Sharp Polish reaction to Orbán’s claims
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski responded sharply, stating to Polish Business Insider that Orbán’s comments were an attack not only on Poland but also on the U.S., the European Union, and NATO. He denied any Polish dealings with Russia and criticised Orbán for positioning himself on the fringe of international society, both within the EU and NATO. Bartoszewski questioned Hungary’s continued membership in NATO, suggesting that Orbán should consider forming a new alliance with Putin and like-minded nations.
In response, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó defended Orbán, asserting that Poland was hurt by the truth. Szijjártó claimed that Hungary had long tolerated provocations and hypocrisy from the current Polish government in the interest of preserving the Hungarian-Polish brotherhood, but that patience had run out. He pointed out that Poland was also listed among the customers of a major Russian oil company, suggesting that Poland should not be hypocritical or accuse others while engaging in similar practices themselves.
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