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You would not believe these world-famous celebrities have Hungarian origins

It might not be obvious that some stars are of Hungarian origins, as their names are far from being Hungarian. However, many Hollywood stars and other world-famous celebrities are the descendants of Hungarians. Here is a list of some celebrities who have Hungarian ancestry.

Hungarian origins

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein is an American fashion designer who founded the Calvin Klein Inc. company in 1968. He is best known for his clothing lines, including his iconic jeans and underwear collections, as well as his fragrances. As Hamu és Gyémánt notes, his name does not sound Hungarian, it has a German ring to it. However, he is, in fact, also connected to our small country, as his father Leo Klein was born in Hungary. Calvin Klein was born and raised in New York.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz is an actress known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theatre. She gained widespread recognition for her roles in various critically acclaimed movies. She starred in films such as Definitely, Maybe (2008), The Bourne Legacy (2012) and Black Widow (2021). Not many know that the actress has Hungarian blood flowing in her veins from her father’s side. Her father, György Weisz, was an engineer and inventor of Hungarian descent. The family fled to England in 1938 to escape Nazi persecution, and the actress was born there in 1970.

Peter Falk

Peter Falk was an American actor, best known for his iconic role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series “Columbo.” Aside from “Columbo,” Falk appeared in many notable films, including “Pocketful of Miracles” (1961), “The Great Race” (1965), “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974), and “Wings of Desire” (1987), among others. Falk was born in 1927 to American accountant parents. However, the family is of Eastern European-Jewish descent, including Czech and Russian. His maternal grandfather, Peter Hochhauser, was born in Budapest.

Drew Barrymore

As we wrote HERE earlier, Drew Barrymore’s mother, Ildikó Makó, was born in a camp for Hungarian refugees post-WWII. Later, she moved to the USA in hopes of a glamorous acting career. Thus, she changed her name to Jaid. Drew Barrymore was born in 1975 and she became an actress as well. She gained fame as a child actress for her role in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), playing Gertie. In addition, she is also known for her performances in a variety of genres, including romantic comedies, dramas, and thrillers.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is an American actor, producer, and animal rights activist. He established himself as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. The actor is known for his dedication to his roles; he often undergoes physical and emotional changes. His most famous films include Gladiator (2000), Her (2013), Joker (2019) and Napoleon (2023). The Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix is also of Hungarian origin. His mother, Arlyn Phoenix, is of Hungarian descent and his grandparents were Hungarian-Russian Jews. His grandmother’s name is very revealing, her name was Margaret Lefkowitz.

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn is an American actress, producer, and singer who rose to fame in the late 1960s. While most people are familiar with the talented actress, not many know that she is also a descendant of Hungarians. Her mother, Laura Steinhoff, was born in Hungary. The family moved to the USA before World War II. Goldie Hawn was born in Washington, D.C. in 1945. Only a few people know that Goldie was initially named Aranka. As we have reported HERE, it was later changed to Goldie, which sounds less odd in the USA. It is also the mirror translation of Aranyka, her mother’s jewellery shop in Hungary. In 2012, Goldie visited Hungary with her sister to discover their roots.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons is best known as the co-founder, bass guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. It may come as a surprise that he is also a descendant of Hungarian parents. His mother, Flóra Kovács, was born in Hungary and his father, Ferenc Witz, is also Hungarian. According to certain sources, Gene is an excellent speaker of the Hungarian language.

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February 27, 2024

Trump and Orbán can only achieve peace in Ukraine?

There is a need for ceasefire and peace, and the leaders best suited to achieve it are Donald Trump and Viktor Orbán, Miklós Szánthó, the head of Hungary’s Center for Fundamental Rights, said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC, on Friday evening.

Szánthó warned of the unprecedented dangers “the cult of woke” presented to life today.

“The cult of woke …. are a clear and present danger to our way of life and even our security,” Szánthó said. “Woke is just a new form of communism,” he said, adding that “it is a civilisational threat, too.”

“Mass illegal migration waters down the political power of those voters who still remember what the American dream and European prosperity once were. And with its gender ideology, the new left … targets children … undermines the family which is the cornerstone of our societies,” he said.

Szánthó said “gender ideology, cancel culture, rejection of the divine and illegal mass migration are insidious, but slow acting poisons that seek to paralyse the nation and the body politic”.

He said Hungary was “a pain in the liberals’ neck because we stand firm on God, homeland and the family, and we do not allow George Soros to interfere in our domestic issues by giving millions to his liberal comrades”, and repeated the slogan of the Hungarian right wing: “No migration! No gender! No war!”

Szánthó called for stopping the wokeists and setting up the global network of anti-globalist forces, which he said CPAC would also pursue at its next event in Budapest in April.

Read also:

Orbán and Trump, the saviours of the world – HERE is the story of our featured image
President Trump: Orbán is the boss – VIDEOS and more in THIS article

Hungarian government: War has only brought human suffering

The war between Russia and Ukraine that has now been going on for two years has only resulted in human suffering, Csaba Dömötör, state secretary of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, said on Saturday. Marking the second anniversary of the outbreak of the war, Dömötör said the end of the conflict was not yet in sight.

“But what we can see is that the consequences have been dramatic,” he said in a video on Facebook, noting that hundreds of thousands have died, millions have fled their homes, and “the war has only brought human suffering”. He added that the economic impact of the war was also severe, and not just for the warring sides.

Dömötör said Europe had been “dragged into a miscalculated sanctions policy” that had only resulted in more hardship rather than bringing an end to the war, arguing that the sanctions had resulted in higher energy prices and soaring inflation in Europe, “while Russia hasn’t been brought to its knees”.

Left chose war, government says

Hungary, he said, was also feeling the growing economic burdens, “as the country is under constant pressure to provide more financial support worth billions for the war”.

Dömötör said the past two years had shown that the conflict could not be settled on the battlefield, underlining the government’s repeated call for peace.

Meanwhile, Tamás Menczer, the state secretary for bilateral relations of the foreign ministry, said deciding between war and peace was “a very serious choice”, but the Hungarian government had chosen peace, while the left had chosen war.

Menczer said in a video on Facebook that the Hungarian left would send weapons to the war, “and those who send weapons already have one foot in the conflict”.

He called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and peace talks.

February 25, 2024

PHOTOS: Drew Barrymore’s Hungarian mother was ‘worst parent ever’

Drew Barrymore’s Hungarian mother, born Ildikó Makó in West Germany after WWII, married John Drew Barrymore in 1971. However, neither of them knew how to raise a child. The father walked out on the family early on, while Drew found herself exposed to adult environments from a young age, accompanying her mother to parties, leading to her smoking at the age of 9 and falling into drug addiction by 11.

According to femina.hu, Drew Barrymore‘s mother Ildikó Makó was born in a camp for Hungarian refugees post-WWII before relocating to the USA with aspirations of becoming an actress, hence adopting the name Jaid.

In 1971, she tied the knot with John Drew Barrymore, only to part ways when Drew was just 9 years old. John, a violent alcoholic hailing from Hollywood’s esteemed Barrymore and Costello lineage, abandoned Drew and her mother, neglecting his responsibilities as a parent.

Jaid Barrymore, Drew’s mother. Photo: Creative Commons

Drew’s mother’s inability to lead a conventional life nearly led to catastrophe, with Drew finding solace in the spotlight at the age of 6 with her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. By 9, smoking and alcohol were already a part of her life, and so were late-night parties, guided by her irresponsible mother.

Drew Barrymore in E.T. — Photo: FB/Drew Barrymore

According to Szeretlek Magyarország, Drew was exposed to Studio 54 at a young age, introduced to drugs, and encouraged to mingle with famous young men, earning her the label of a “party girl” by the age of 8. At 12, she received clinical treatment, escalating to intensive hospital therapy by her 13th birthday to combat her substance abuse.

Drew Barrymore was a drug addict as a little girl

At one point, it even crossed the actress’ mind that she may not make it to her 25th birthday. Admitting to hitting rock bottom at the age of 13, Drew recalled her journey to journalists, attributing her premature upbringing to her mother’s irresponsibility. Despite the challenges, Drew’s life took a positive turn at 14. Despite facing ostracisation in Hollywood and being relegated to household chores, she managed to revive her career, starring in Poison Ivy in 1992 and gracing the pages of Playboy at 19. Afterwards, her godfather, Steven Spielberg, sent her a pillow with a note: “Cover yourself with it”.

With three marriages under her belt, including one that lasted a mere 19 days, Drew’s tumultuous childhood experiences are unsurprising. Now a mother of two daughters, Olive and Frankie, aged 11 and 9 respectively, Drew launched “The Drew Barrymore Show” in 2020. Here it is:

Drew prioritises her role as a parent over professional commitments, determined not to replicate her parents’ mistakes. She champions stability and prioritises her children above all, considering motherhood the most rewarding job in the world.

Read also:

World famous Hungarians – 5 celebrities with Hungarian origins – Check them out in THIS article
3 Hungarian actors who made it to the Hollywood Walk of Fame

February 24, 2024

Book on Hungarian politics’ presentation attended by Trump’s possible VP, Kari Lake

A book on Hungarian politics by American author Shea Bradley-Farrell, Last Warning to the West, was presented at the Hungarian embassy in Washington DC at an event linked to a CPAC meeting on Thursday.

Bradley-Farrell, who heads the Counterpoint Institute and is a leading staff member of the Centre for Fundamental Rights, argues that Hungary serves as an example to Western countries for how to put conservative values into political practice.

Hungary’s ambassador to Washington, Szabolcs Takács, said Hungarians were survivors, noting its history of fighting for survival culminating in their uprising against the Soviet Communist regime.

Miklos Szantho, the director of the Centre for Fundamental Rights, argued there was a need to build a coalition for promoting conservative values, as such values were “under attack by progressive forces”.

Szantho is scheduled to address the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday.

Also attending the embassy event was Arizona politician Kari Lake, a possible vice-presidential candidate of Donald Trump.

Read also:

Orbán cabinet: guarantee of excellent Hungary-US relations is Donald Trump – Read more HERE
Orbán and Trump, the saviours of the world – check out that new T-shirt trend in THIS article

February 24, 2024

Hungarians are the least supportive of Ukrainians in Europe

In a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Hungary emerged as the country with the highest expectation of a Russian victory over Ukraine. This belief was more prevalent among Hungarians compared to other surveyed nations, except for Poland and Portugal.

The survey, for which the data was collected prior to the withdrawal from Avdiika, shows that 31% of Hungarian participants believe that Russia would win in the conflict with Ukraine. Despite this, in 12 countries, including Hungary, the possibility of some form of peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia was deemed the most likely outcome, averaging around 37% across all participating countries. Significantly, 64% of Hungarians advocated for the EU to pressure Ukraine into negotiations, while 16% supported providing assistance to aid Ukraine in reclaiming its occupied territories, according to Telex.

The Hungarian perspective

A substantial portion of Hungarians who participated in the survey viewed Ukrainian refugees as a potential risk. 37% of respondents perceived them as such, while 19% of Hungarians regarded the Ukrainian refugees as an opportunity. The remaining participants expressed uncertainty, either disagreeing with the perspectives or were indifferent to the question. Hungary would boast the highest percentage of individuals, at 28%, expressing satisfaction if Donald Trump were to win the US presidential election in the autumn. This is not surprising, as the Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump are considered allies. Nevertheless, Hungarians who support Trump are still in the minority compared to those who would be disheartened (32%) if the Republican candidate were to win the upcoming elections. If the new US leader were to limit current support to Ukraine, 54% of Hungarians believe that the EU should follow suit, marking the highest proportion among the 12 countries surveyed. On average, only a third of respondents shared this sentiment, with 21% preferring to maintain the current level of support and 20% even advocating for an increase. Furthermore, Hungarians, alongside the Greeks, are at the forefront, with 48% expressing the belief that the EU has played a detrimental role in the conflict, while only 25% hold the opposite view. This sentiment is the relative majority among the 12 countries, where 37% perceive the EU’s role negatively compared to the 29% who view it positively.

Searching for reasons

In 2022, a survey polled Hungarians on their perspectives regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, encompassing their perceptions of both nations. Discovering the logic behind Hungarians’ perspectives can be achieved through a closer examination of these statistics. As a result of the ongoing war, perceptions of Russia have notably declined. However, it is worth highlighting that perceptions of the United States have also decreased by 10 points. While there was no survey conducted on Ukraine in 2018, Medián’s 2022 assessment revealed a remarkably low approval rating of 33 points, which is nearly the same as that of Russia, according to 444.hu. The survey investigated preferences regarding closer relations with either Russia or the US in Hungary. Overall, the majority favoured closer ties with the US. However, there were notable differences based on political affiliation. While nearly a quarter of Fidesz voters preferred alignment with the US, the majority leaned towards Russia. Among younger Fidesz voters, there was a stronger inclination towards Moscow, with 65% favouring ties with Russia. The older generation of Fidesz voters seem to think differently, with 54% of those aged 40-59 and 50% of those over 60 opting for closer relations with Russia.

Read also:

Strong NATO important to Hungarian government but so is mutual respect – HERE
FM Szijjártó: Hungary rejects extreme ideologies – HERE

February 24, 2024

Restrictions at US ports: new ESTA required for Hungarian passengers

According to information from the MSC, the regulation on ESTA visas applied for and issued after 1 August 2023 has been repealed. According to the new regulation, passengers of cruise ships will have to apply for a new visa after entering the USA, the editorial team of turizmus.com has been informed.

New rules apply to Hungarian passengers on cruises from the United States. Travel agents selling cruises should also be prepared for the change during the peak cruise season, turizmus.com reports.

According to the latest guidelines from the US authorities, passengers holding a Hungarian passport will have to present a new ESTA (application for an entry permit) at the port terminal when boarding the ship.

Csaba Balogh, head of the tourism department of IBUSZ, told turizmus.com: “We were first informed about the change last week by our passengers, but on 20 February the official information about the change arrived at our office”.

The change has so far only been brought to the attention of Hungarian travellers by MSC. However, the new rule applies regardless of the company, as it is required by the Immigration Office, the expert stressed.

The previous legislation was much more permissive. From 1 August 2023 until now, with a single-entry ESTA for closed voyages (when a ship departs from and returns to the same port) a second ESTA was not required to embark, with some exceptions.

Because of the tightening, the IBUSZ travel agency now asks all travellers to apply for a new ESTA immediately after entering the United States. There is no practical obstacle to this, as the old permit officially expires immediately after entry, turizmus.com stresses.

New entry permits are usually ready within 24 hours, and experience over the past week shows that shipping companies are already allowing boarding with an ESTA application.

No restrictions apply to B1 and B2 visa holders who are in the US for 6 months as tourists or for professional reasons, turizmus.com concludes.

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February 22, 2024

Orbán cabinet: we do not need the lecture from the Republican and Democrat US delegations

The Hungarian government does not need lectures from US congress delegations on what should happen in Hungary, as only Hungarians can decide that, the foreign minister said on Monday.

Responding to question regarding a visit to Hungary by a bipartisan US congress delegation, Péter Szijjártó told a press conference on the sidelines of a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council that the delegation had not been received at ministerial level, similarly to Hungarian delegations in the US.

Earlier talks with similar delegations had resulted in “comprehensive lectures on how we should govern Hungary,” he said.

read also – US senators: Orbán cabinet endangers Transatlantic security!

Szijjártó said the way Hungary should be governed was decided by Hungarians whose decisions the government implemented.

“We do not need US congressional delegations to lecture us on what should and shouldn’t happen in Hungary.”

The delegation’s press conference had also shown they wanted to discuss EU and internal matters rather than bilateral ones, he said. “None of those [issues] concern them.”

Regarding European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to run for re-election, Szijjártó said the EU’s competitiveness and security had “dramatically” deteriorated on her watch.

“If … she is judged on merit, I think President Von der Leyen will be graded poorly at the end of her term,” he said.

Szijjártó also welcomed Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristensson’s decision to visit Budapest, adding that the meeting could further the Hungarian parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership, “although the final date is still unknown”.

He also praised Hungarian-Swedish defence cooperation, adding that Swedish companies “feel good in Hungary” and noting that the Hungarian Armed Forces fly Gripen aircraft.

As we wrote today: How can Sweden join NATO? Orbán seals a massive arms and military industry deal

February 19, 2024

US senators: Orbán cabinet endangers Transatlantic security! – UPDATED

US Senators Shaheen, Tillis, and Murphy in Hungary about Transatlantic security (Copy)

A bipartisan delegation of the US Senate is now in Hungary investigating several issues, including Hungary’s NATO policy, the Swedish NATO accession and other controversial topics. They say the Hungarian government endangered Transatlantic security at a key moment considering European peace and stability. They are to submit that resolution to the Congress. What consequences will follow?

We wrote HERE that a bipartisan delegation came to Hungary, because of which Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó became outraged. He highlighted Hungary is a sovereign country and added that there were lies spread in America about Hungary.

“If they’re coming to tell us how we ought to live or what decisions we ought to make, I wouldn’t recommend that because that would be — as they say — an incomplete mission, so it wouldn’t be worth it,” he added.

According to 444.hu, a Democrat and Republican senator are ready to submit a resolution to the Congress condemning the Hungarian government’s Russia-friendly policies. Furthermore, they would like to pressure Orbán to ratify Sweden’s NATO accession.

AP acquired the draft of the resolution which criticizes the Hungarian government for dismantling democratic institutions, influencing media, and restricting civic rights.

Orbán’s close relationship with Russia and China

Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat) from New Hampshire and Thom Tillis (Republican) from North Carolina slam Orbán’s decision to use the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the migration to govern with decrees (Orbán has a supermajority in the parliament). There were two more senators in the delegation, Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen, but only the Mrs Shaheen and Mr Tillis are members of the Senate NATO Observer Group.

They will remind them of Orbán’s promise not to be the last member state to accept the Swedish NATO accession. The resolution says that delaying Sweden’s bid endangered Transatlantic security in a key moment of European peace and stability.

Moreover, they slam Orbán’s close relationship with Russia and China and the Orbán cabinet’s measures hindering the EU’s anti-Russia sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Swedish foreign minister expects Hungary to accept Stockholm’s NATO bid.

Orbán said in his State of the Nation speech yesterday that the Hungarian parliament would accept that in February.

US senators disappointed

According to 24.hu, the senators were disappointed because nobody from the government or Fidesz agreed to meet and discuss the aforementioned topics with them. Meanwhile, as Shaheen highlighted, the USA is the second biggest investor in Hungary.

Read also:

Biden cabinet disappointed: PM Orbán leads Hungary out from NATO by boycotting Sweden? – Read more HERE
Hungarian wine on top 10 New York Times list – Details in THIS article

US Ambassador to Budapest David Pressman welcomed the senators at Budapest Airport:

UPDATE 2

US senators trust Hungarian lawmakers will ratify Sweden’s NATO accession soon

United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen said a bipartisan delegation of her peers trusted that Hungarian lawmakers would soon ratify Sweden’s NATO accession bid, speaking at a press conference in Budapest on Sunday, but expressed disappointment that nobody from the Hungarian government had met with them.
The delegation, on a mission focused on strategic issues confronting NATO and Hungary, included Senator Shaheen, a Democrat, and Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, who both co-chair the Senate NATO Observer Group, as well as Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat and member of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Shaheen noted at the press conference that Hungary was the last NATO member whose parliament had still not ratified Sweden’s accession to the alliance, adding that Prime Minister Viktor Orban had earlier said it wouldn’t be the last one to do so.

Shaheen said she trusted Orban would honour a pledge made in his state of the nation address on Saturday that Hungarian lawmakers would ratify Sweden’s NATO accession at the start of parliament’s spring session.

The senators stressed that Sweden’s accession to NATO would strengthen the alliance and the security of the United States and Hungary in the current situation.

Shaheen stressed the importance of NATO being the strongest and most unified alliance possible considering the challenges facing Europe in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Senator Tillis said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a threat against democracy, against Hungary and against Europe, which was why NATO needed to be enlarged.

Senator Murphy said there was no reason for the Hungarian parliament to further delay the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession.

Fielding questions, Tillis said the US respected Hungary’s independence and sovereignty, but added that the country needed to support Sweden’s NATO accession, just like the other members of the NATO family.

Asked to comment on remarks by Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, suggesting Russia was not a threat to NATO members, Shaheen said she didn’t agree at all.

The senators had wanted to review with representatives of the Hungarian government bilateral economic ties, the situation of human rights and matters related to the upcoming presidential election in the US.

Shaheen noted that the US was the second-biggest foreign investor in Hungary.

She said a declaration assessing the situation of Sweden’s NATO accession would be submitted with her co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group upon their return to the US.

Featured image: Ambassador Pressman with the senators

February 18, 2024

Hungarian wine on top 10 New York Times list

News of the Hungarian wines has reached overseas – the 2017 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú finally achieved world fame.

One of the most-read American newspapers has recently published a special segment featuring wines. The Tokaji Aszú was among the top ten most recommended editions.

The perfect gift

A recent article in the New York Times, which recommends wines for Valentine’s Day, gave recognition to one of Hungary’s biggest wine brands, the Tokaji Aszú. The author writes about sweet wines explicitly, exclaiming that they, though rather tricky, can be the cherry on top of the cake at the right moment. He details the exact nature of the perfect wine pairings, and how to crown the moment with some sweet wine. The good sweet wine is balanced, bringing a lively taste and a surprising versatility to the table.

Pál Rókusfalvy, the Government Commissioner Responsible for National Wine Marketing, has called attention to the article on his social media page, Blikk writes. His post read that “even the New York Times says that with some out-of-the-box thinking, our 2017 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú can be a good alternative to the usual and perhaps a bit boring sweets, jewellery and flowers Holy Trinity”.

The main ingredient is ‘risk’

The New York Times article also talks of the incomprehensible dwindling of sweet wines in the market. Though the author is confounded by the decline, they do add some possible reasons for it. For a good sweet wine, the main ingredient is risk. For a sweet wine to be properly good, the most important objective is that the botrytis cinerea, the noble rot responsible for complexity and sweetness, settles on the grapes at the exact right time.

However, botrytis depends on certain weather conditions that are impossible to control and can easily lead to a disastrous outcome, going so far as to even ruin the harvest. The sweet wine industry is a risky business and that’s why they mostly fall into the expensive category. Another reason might be the intensive labour needed for the harvest, which adds to the price as well.

The unbeatable Tokaji Aszú

The author highlights the scarcity of sweet wines in the market, namely the New York stores, by explaining his process for choosing the recommended wines. He writes that even picking out ten that were worth a mention has caused him some headache. Luckily for us, in the end, he did manage to find ten excellent picks to recommend. He then delves into the list of wines, giving each one a praising paragraph and an explanation.

For the Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú Red Label 2017, he wrote: “Hungarian Tokaji aszú wines are legendary, yet more difficult to find than a few years ago and much less known than two centuries ago when they were renowned in European capitals. This Royal Tokaji bottle is complex, fruity, and spicy, but with fresh, rich sweetness thanks to botrytis. A bottle is available for USD 60, or HUF 20,000.”

This could also interest you:

Read about new developments in the alcohol industry HERE.
Read about the other well- known alcohol in Hungary HERE.

February 18, 2024

Will Hungary be kicked out of the NATO? US bipartisan delegation comes, FM Szijjártó saber-rattling

PM Viktor Orbán Joe Biden NATO - diplomacy

On Sunday, February 18, a bipartisan delegation of United States Senators will travel to Hungary on a mission focused on strategic issues confronting NATO and Hungary. According to the Embassy of the USA, the delegation will include:

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Appropriations;
Senator Thom Tillis, co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group;
Senator Chris Murphy, member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Appropriations; and
Senator Chris Van Hollen, member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Appropriations.

Not worth it for visiting US senators to try to pressure Hungary, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said a US congressional delegation scheduled to visit Hungary this weekend should not try to put pressure on the country, underlining that Hungary “is a sovereign country”.
Answering a question at a press conference on Friday in connection with a planned visit by a bipartisan delegation of US senators to Hungary, Szijjarto said the government welcomed the senators just as it did every foreign visitor.

“We’re glad that they’re coming, because they’ll be able to see with their own eyes that everything they read about Hungary in the liberal American media is a blatant lie,” Szijjarto said. “And so, they’ll be able to see with their own eyes that we here in Hungary are in no way an obstacle to Hungarian-American cooperation and its improvement.”

An incomplete American mission?

“They’ll see how excellent economic cooperation is between the two countries and they’ll get to see the beauties of the country, so we welcome the US congressmen the same way we welcome any other foreign visitor,” the minister said.

“If they’re coming with the purpose of telling us how we ought to live or what decisions we ought to make, I wouldn’t recommend that because that would definitely be — as they say — an incomplete mission, so it wouldn’t be worth it,” he added.

Szijjarto said he was not aware of the senators having any plans to meet anyone from Hungary’s government sector, noting that their counterparts were the Hungarian members of parliament. “I don’t know if there will be any meetings there,” he said.

We await the Swedish prime minister’s visit

He said the reason why it was not worth trying to put pressure on Hungary was because it “is a sovereign country, and we think a sovereign country shouldn’t put pressure on others, especially if it’s an ally”.

Szijjarto said the Hungarian national assembly was the sovereign parliament of a sovereign country, and its decisions were not based on visits by congressional delegations.

“Our position on the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership is clear,” Szijjarto said. “We await the Swedish prime minister’s visit to Hungary. I think that if he was able to visit Turkiye during the ratification process, then he can also pay us a visit.”

Read also:

Hungarian government does not see Russia as a security threat to any NATO member – Read more HERE
Orbán: Ukraine has to be a buffer zone between Russia and NATO

February 17, 2024

Hungarian forint at 3-month low: no recovery in sight

forint bank card coin money bond finance interest rate freeze Hungarian government orbán

The forint was at a three-month low on Wednesday afternoon, and there is no telling when it will recover.

The forint started to weaken on Wednesday morning, helped by the unpleasant news of the Hungarian 2023 Q4 GDP data and the significant strengthening of the dollar alongside yesterday’s US inflation data. The EUR/HUF exchange rate jumped from near 387 to 387.7, Portfolio reports.

At 2 PM, the shortened minutes of the Hungarian central bank’s interest rate decision at the end of January were released, showing that two members of the Monetary Council had backed a 100 basis point rate cut instead of the 75 basis point cut that eventually occurred. The forint then started to fall from around 388.7 to around 389.5 in a short period of time.

The dollar rose to near the 364 level, a new three-month low for the forint.

After a fall in the afternoon, the forint recovered somewhat to below 389 against the euro only to fall again to 389.13 at 5.20 PM.

Read also:

February 14, 2024

Hungarian Nobel laureate Karikó appears in Super Bowl commercial!

“Don’t Stop Me Now!”, says Katalin Karikó in the Pfizer ad, alongside Newton, Einstein and other inventors.

Hungarian Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó appeared in the Pfizer commercial last night during the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl is not just a sporting event, it is also a key moment for the advertising market, hvg.hu writes. For the first time ever, Pfizer has bought advertising time for the occasion, celebrating science in a video featuring renowned scientists and explorers lipsyncing to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.

Just after Albert Einstein and Rosalind Franklin, Katalin Karikó appears in the video, right at the moment when “I wanna make a supersonic woman of you” is sung by Freddie Mercury.

Watch the amazing ad below:

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February 12, 2024

Exclusive Interview with Hungarian TikTok Sensation Livi

With an unrivalled charm and a keen eye for the comedic elements of everyday life, Hungarian TikTok sensation, Livi, offers a humorous glimpse into the unique and uproariously funny nuances of the Hungarian language. In this exclusive interview, we delve into her journey of turning the bizarre yet hilarious idioms and phrases of her mother tongue into viral TikTok videos, her experiences of growing up in the United States while straddling two different cultures, and what Hungarian identity means to her.

To start off, can you tell us how your TikTok/Instagram journey began, and how long you have been a creator? How did you discover your unique voice or niche on these platforms?

I’ve been a creator since about late 2020, and it has been a crazy journey! I started off just posting funny anecdotes from my life, but it wasn’t long before I shared my Hungarian background and captured a Hungarian audience. I don’t think I ever realised how interesting my Hungarian speaking skills were to native Hungarians. I grew up in California where most of my classmates spoke a different language at home, so it was completely normal to me to be bilingual and experience a different culture at home than in school. Once I spoke in Hungarian on a video, Hungarians were enthralled with my accent and asked me to continue. I now predominantly post videos in Hungarian on my TikTok with English subtitles. I love that my platform has helped me keep in touch with my Hungarian community and simultaneously promote language learning.

How did the idea of creating these hilarious Hungarian TikTok videos come about, and what was your breakthrough viral content?

Thank you for thinking they’re hilarious! My breakthrough viral content was a “tell me” trend where I asked viewers to share moments where they caught others speaking about them in another language. I then proceeded to tell a story about how some Hungarians were behind me and my friends in a cafe, saying that we were a group of “stupid American girls.” I proceeded to place everyone’s order in Hungarian in front of them and they stopped chatting pretty quickly after that. In terms of creating content, I think I see a lot of my life experiences through two lenses and that duality helps me see quirky things about the Hungarian language that maybe Hungarians sometimes don’t see. For example, I’ll very often translate Hungarian phrases to English since they just capture the moment better than an English phrase, but, in doing this, I realise how funny it can sound to English speaking ears.

@liv_iathan I’m so ready for these stories #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – LIVI

Could you share a bit of background story of your family’s move to the States? Where do they come from originally? Do you still have relatives living in Hungary?

My mother is from Budapest, and my father was from California. My father was a friend of my moms cousin, who already lived in California at the time, and they met when my mom was visiting once. My mom’s parents moved out to the States a few years after my parents got married as I was on the way. My father passed away when I was a year old, so I spent the majority of my time with my maternal grandparents, who only spoke Hungarian. Hungarian was technically my first language as a result. We no longer have relatives in Hungary but we do have many family friends we still visit.

When did you first visit Hungary, and what were your first impressions? And despite your Hungarian roots, did you experience any culture shock?

Well, I was first of all shocked to hear Hungarian all around me! It was mind boggling, because, for me, this language only existed in a home environment up until that point. We would sometimes meet Hungarians out and about in grocery stores, but I had never in my life been able to walk into a store and ask a clerk, in Hungarian, where an item I was looking for was. It was so empowering to know that, thanks to knowing the language and growing up with the culture, even if I was thousands of miles from my physical home, I was still home. In terms of culture shock, I don’t think I experienced as much of it as the group I was traveling with did. My first trip to Hungary was with ReConnect Hungary, a Hungarian birthright trip for young adults, and most of the cohort had never even been exposed to Hungarian culture prior to the trip. I will say that paying to use the bathroom or paying for toilet paper surprised me, though.

Do you have any plans for another visit to Hungary in the near future?

I’m dying to visit! I haven’t been to Hungary since 2018, and now that the pandemic has ended, I’d really love to visit. I’m also very excited to take my fiancé, Torrey, as well. I think I’ve talked his ear off about it at this point but he’s ecstatic to go, so my chatter has paid off!

What do you believe are the most unique traits/strengths of Hungarians? Additionally, how do Americans and Hungarians differ in their approaches to life, mentality and way of thinking?

Hungarians have a multitude of unique strengths: their pride in their rich cultural heritage, their resilience throughout history, their hospitality towards guests and eagerness to share cultural food, their strong emphasis on maintaining interconnectedness with family and supporting one another, the list goes on. In terms of differences between Hungarians and Americans, I’m not even sure where to start. In terms of communication, Hungarians take their time forming friendships and may take awhile to trust someone before being open and honest with them, whereas Americans will make friends very quickly. Generally, towards strangers, Hungarians are quite reserved and don’t express themselves as much as Americans do outright. I generally lean towards a Hungarian approach in that regard and, as a result, have had to really train myself over the years to be more open when speaking with other Americans.

Another key difference is dining etiquette: Hungarians have a more formal dining etiquette, where dining together in any capacity is a social event, while Americans will have a more casual approach. American cuisine is also more diverse, incorporating food from many different cultures, while Hungarian cuisine predominantly reflects Central European influences. Again, the list goes on and anyone who has visited both Hungary and the US will quickly be able to rack up a list of cultural differences themselves as well. Personally, since I was raised with both cultures, I’ve found myself adopting a blend of both Hungarian and American values as I’ve grown up.

Hungary is a pocket-sized country thousands of miles away from the US. For those who have never heard of it, how would you describe the country and its people in brief?

Hungary is a culturally rich and historically significant country with many amazing attractions such as thermal baths, beautiful architecture, delicious food, and a vibrant community. Hungarians are very hospitable people and love connecting with others. They take great pride in their country and show their affection through sharing their culture, cuisine, and language with foreigners.

What does your Hungarian identity mean to you?

My Hungarian identity is a huge part of who I am as a person. As I’ve gotten older, my life experiences have proven to me that my values are a unique blend of two cultures converging. My Hungarian background has given me a deep appreciation for history, age-old traditions, family recipes, and my friends and family. Simultaneously, my American background has helped me embrace individuality, diversity, and a different set of traditions and celebrations. My experiences remind me that identity isn’t static, it’s dynamic and constantly evolving as we move through life.

Can you think of something ‘typically Hungarian’ during your upbringing?

Doilies everywhere. Vegeta and paprika in nearly everything. A big plastic bag containing neatly tied smaller plastic bags. Otthonkák (grandma housecoats). The list goes on, and I’d have it no other way.

@liv_iathan Been a minute since one of these 😂 #inhungarywesay #hungary #phrases #languages #languagelearning #hungarian ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

We’ve noticed on your page that you have a passion for cooking and baking. What’s your go-to Hungarian dish? Are your American and foreign friends fond of Hungarian flavours?

Oh, I love this question, thank you for noticing that! I know I don’t post about it very often, but I’ve been meaning to share more of my cooking and baking lately. My go-to dish is always csirke paprikás (chicken paprikash), it’s just incredibly easy, delicious, and hearty. My American and foreign friends all love Hungarian food, and they’re always excited to try anything I make. It has particularly been a lot of fun introducing Torrey to all the different dishes, and, so far, he loves everything he’s tried. I haven’t served him kocsonya (aspic) yet, though, so the jury is still out.

Can you imagine moving to Hungary one day, whether for a short or long term? And if not, why?

At this point, I don’t think I could live there long term, just because my career aspirations, my friends, and my family are all in California. I also do get homesick to return to the States after I’ve been away for a while. Although, if possible, I would love to spend a month every year or even my summers in Hungary in the future.

Looking ahead, what does the future hold for you, and what are you most excited about?

Well, I’ll be getting married this year, so I’m very excited for that! I’m also currently job hunting for a role in software engineering after having taught myself software skills for the past few years, so I am excited to begin working in tech. More generally, I’m excited to continue spending my time with Torrey, my mom, and my dog, and hopefully visiting Hungary later this year.

February 12, 2024

Hungarian minister: pressure from Washington achieves goal in many European capitals!

Hungary is seeing a growing inflow of high value-added research and development investments, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said in New York on Friday, adding that his talks with American business executives would be focused on promoting a “qualitative leap” in the economy.

The development of the economy requires a stable foundation, which the government started working on back in 2010 before going on to attract record investments each year, Szijjártó said ahead of talks with US business leaders.

This has allowed Hungary to become an important production centre in Europe’s most important industries such as the auto industry, the electronics sector and the chemicals and food industries, Szijjártó said. This was followed by a rise in high value-added services, and is set to be topped off with R+D, he added.

Szijjártó said he was scheduled to meet executives of IT and pharmaceutical companies in Boston, whose investments in Hungary would contribute to a “qualitative leap” in the country’s economy.

He said that over the past years, the focus had been on “quantitative leaps”, but with full employment having been realised and with the country on a growth path and having become a meeting point for Eastern and Western companies, it was time to focus on quality.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said he is scheduled to take part in a panel discussion on the future of Europe at Harvard University.

He said he will talks about Europe’s declining influence, prestige and competitiveness “given that it was incapable of isolating a war, and has instead practically globalised it and . made it even more severe with weapons deliveries”.

“The European Union was also incapable of protecting its own citizens from mass illegal migration waves, and is instead continuously encouraging these migration waves,” the minister said. “Neither was the European Union capable of improving its own competitiveness.”

He said this was because the EU’s current leadership and many of the powerful European member states had given up their own will and had become “followers”. “Their actions practically follow the guidelines, decisions and expectations of the Democrat administration in Washington,” Szijjártó said.

“It’s clear that the pressure from Washington achieves its goal in many European capital, as well as in Brussels,” he added.

He said the EU had to return to strategic autonomy and to acting in its own interests if it was to go back to being a “serious global economic and global political player”.

Hungary had demonstrated this over the last decade and a half, the foreign minister said, arguing that the country had successfully pursued a policy based on the enforcement of its own national interests despite “all the progressive pressure and instructions from the liberal mainstream”.

Read also:

Orbán cabinet: guarantee of excellent Hungary-US relations is Donald Trump – Read more HERE
Hollywood star thinks Hungarian weddings are much better than American ones

February 10, 2024

Orbán cabinet: guarantee of excellent Hungary-US relations is Donald Trump

Because Hungarian-US relations were at their height during the presidency of Donald Trump, “it is always good news when we hear about the success” of the former president, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in New York on Friday.

Szijjártó made his comment in reaction to Trump’s huge victory in the Republican presidential caucus in Nevada on Thursday. The minister noted that the period of 2016-2020 had been distinctly different in Hungary-US relations from the previous and subsequent periods.

Bilateral political relations were “at their peak” during the Trump administration between 2016 and 2020 when those relations were built on mutual respect, Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement. “What helped a lot was that Donald Trump and his team and the Hungarian government ruling then and now were thinking along the same lines on the most pressing global issues such as the fight against migration, peace, the protection of families and conservative values,” he said.

The minister underlined that the Hungarian government was keeping tabs on US election events “strictly from the aspect of Hungary-US relations in the hope that they would return to their 2016-2020 peak”. “And this obviously has one personal condition. The name guaranteeing excellent Hungary-US relations is Donald Trump.”

“We have always shown respect to the United States, to the people of the United States and to their decisions. This will obviously be the case in November, no matter what decision they will take,” said Szijjártó.

Read also:

Orbán’s closest political advisor will help Trump win the presidency? – Read more HERE
Orbán and Trump, the saviours of the world – Check out the photos and more in THIS article

February 10, 2024

United Nations must multiply counter-terrorism resources, says Hungarian foreign minister in NY

The United Nations must multiply its resources spent on counter-terrorism, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Thursday.

Péter Szijjártó told public media during a visit in New York that the UN had handled counter-terrorism action as a “stepchild” for a long time. “The role it was able to fulfil depended on the voluntary donations of member states,” he added.

“For years we’ve been fighting for this situation to change”, and financing counter-terrorism is now part of the United Nations‘ central budget, he said.

The UN’s counter-terrorism efforts are currently managed from two locations: New York and Budapest, since the second largest unit of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism operates in Budapest, he said. “Hungary therefore plays an important role in global counter terrorism efforts,” he added.

In addition to peacekeeping, counter-terrorism efforts must be among the most important tasks of the UN, considering that the world faces “the most severe threat of terror ever”, he said. “This started not only with the brutal terrorist attacks in Israel, but the threat of terrorism had already been at a very high level in Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia and even in Europe, as a result of the development of parallel societies emerging from migration waves to western Europe,” he added.

Terrorism and illegal migration formed a “vicious circle”, he said, because when terrorism became increasingly severe in any one part of the world, migration sprang from that location and terrorist organisations abused illegal migration, hiding their terrorists in the uncontrolled waves of migrants. “If Europe gets hit by migration waves, it will increase chances of terrorists getting in,” he added.

He expressed hope that by keeping the waves of illegal migration under control, the threat of terrorism could be reduced.

Commenting on his talks with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, he said the UN must play a leading role in counter-terrorism efforts and in peacekeeping. Several international organisations, he said, had failed in respect of the war in Ukraine, only making the situation worse with weapons transports and pro-war propaganda. He said the UN must step forward in this area, given that it was set up precisely to help communication between warring states.

Szijjártó said currently neither side was open to mediation, and the continuation of the war must be expected in Ukraine, despite the fact that “there is no solution on the battlefield”. European strategy “has been a complete failure”, he said. Those European politicians who say the developments in the battlefield would bring the situation closer to peace “cheated” the European people, he said. “They have either lied or assessed the situation completely falsely,” he added.

The foreign minister called freeing the hostages “the most important task” in the Middle East, adding that he agreed with the UN Secretary-General that Qatar should be given all possible support. He noted that Qatar’s mediation efforts had yielded results and the freeing of the first three Hungarian hostages were also thanks to that country.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said modern-day anti-Semitism had spread “at a shocking rate” in western Europe and the United States in the recent months, with dozens of violent demonstrations held against Israel and with the harassment of Jewish communities and their members. “Those must be stopped,” he said. The minister called modern-day anti-Semitism a consequence of illegal migration in western Europe, saying that “aggressive migrants” had brought it with them as parallel societies had emerged.

With zero tolerance in place against anti-Semitism and a ban on pro-terrorist demonstrations, he said Hungary was the safest country for Jewish communities.

Szijjártó said that it had transpired from his meetings with US Republican politicians that they had extensive information about developments in Europe and in Hungary in particular, and they followed the activities of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government “with great sympathy”. “They are keeping their fingers crossed” for the prime minister in his efforts to enforce Hungary’s national interests, protect Christian-conservative values and protect families while fighting illegal migration, he said.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said: “If someone tries to argue in favour of ending the war in Ukraine, they are immediately called Putin’s friend, a Russian spy or a Kremlin propagandist.” Related article: Hungarian FM Szijjártó receives Order of Friendship from Russian FM Lavrov

The foreign minister attributed Hungary’s success in the recent past to the “honest and clear political strategy” the country had pursued. Hungary, he added, had the political stability for this, based on the Hungarian people’s support of the government’s political strategy.

Speaking about the Hungarian opposition, Szijjártó insisted it was “led by the US ambassador to Budapest, which is a strange situation, a qualified case of [foreign] interference in a country’s internal affairs.” As we wrote a few days ago, the United States may introduce severe travel restrictions against several Hungarian politicians following the Global Magnitsky Act, details HERE.

Good question, is the Hungarian government’s campaign for Trump not interference in a country’s internal affairs? Read details: Orbán: Trump is our only hope

February 9, 2024

Hungarian foreign minister blames liberal mainstream for EU ‘failures’

New York Young Republicans Club Hungarian foreign minister Szijjártó

The European Union’s failure to handle the main challenges of recent times was due to the pervasive presence of the liberal mainstream, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said in New York on Thursday.

Speaking at an event of the New York Young Republicans Club, Szijjártó said Europe was facing “a package of challenges consisting of three major parts”.

The EU’s strategy had failed in handling the war in Ukraine, illegal migration, and economic challenges, he said. “The major reason for failing to address any of these challenges is the liberal mainstream.”

The liberal mainstream was making “rational, thorough, respect-based debate” impossible, Szijjártó said. He said anyone in Europe suggesting that promoting peace in Ukraine would be better than weapon deliveries was branded a Russian spy, Putin’s friend or a Kremlin propagandist, he said.

“Or if you say that the only way foreigners can enter your country is the legal way. then you are [this] close to being a fascist.”

Szijjártó said the EU had manoeuvred itself into a crisis because the liberal mainstream was attempting “to construct an absolute hegemony of opinion”.

Liberal forces saw themselves as the only progressive and democratic ideology in politics, and branded those unwilling to align with liberal values autocratic and anti-democratic, he said.

At the same time, “the liberal mainstream is the most intolerant ideology that has been ruling over Europe” in the past decades, he said. “They do not tolerate any alternative opinions, they are not ready to respect the rights of non-liberals.”

Hungary’s government had been using the phrase “illiberal democracy” to signal that a political regime can remain a democracy as well as conservative, Christian, and patriotic, he said.

Patriotic, Christian Democrat parties are seen as populists as the liberal mainstream is “ruling NGOs and civil organisations”, he said.

While most governments in Europe are governing in coalition with a slim majority, they are easy to put under pressure, he said. “I am one of the very few in the European Union. who feels that I can say what I feel”, thanks to the stable political system in Hungary, he said.

Szijjártó said

Hungary’s media landscape was varied, and around half of the outlets were supportive of the government. According to current European standards, that is a “media dictatorship in Europe, because liberals do not have a 99.9 percent share.”

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Szijjártó said the European strategy and sanctions had failed to achieve their goals. Hungary is urging peace talks, especially since there is a sizeable Hungarian community living in Ukraine, he said.

Hungary is also maintaining its stance on illegal migration:

“We stick to our sovereign right to tell whom we allow into the country and with whom we are ready to live together.”

No external force can dictate Hungarians’ decisions on that issue, he said.

In 2022, Hungary detained 275,000 illegal migrants, and 200,000 in 2023. The government will keep its strategy in place, and maintain rigorous border checks and the fence, he said.

Szijjártó said that the different approach in Western Europe had resulted in anti-Israel protests and parallel societies.

Europe was losing its competitiveness and its share in global GDP has slipped to third place behind China, he said. Meanwhile, Hungary had survived the crises and “is now extremely successful”, he said. The Fidesz-Christian Democrat government has won four consecutive terms, creating a stable political foundation for that success, he said.

Foreign investors had channeled “tens of millions of dollars” into Hungary in 2022, hoping to forge a united opposition, he said. “The attack against the government was coordinated from the United States, from the network of [American financier] George Soros, and from organisations not too far from your current government.”

Szijjártó said Hungary’s vision for the future could be summed up as “no war, no migration, no gender”. “We want peace in Ukraine . We are not ready to receive any illegal migrants, and society is based on family: mother, father, child.”

The solution to peace and the improving ties between the US and Hungary would be the return of former President Donald Trump to power, he said.

As we wrote last week, the United States may introduce severe travel restrictions against several Hungarian politicians following the Global Magnitsky Act, which enables sanctioning foreign individuals who have committed human rights abuses or been involved in significant corruption, details HERE.

Also we reports 2 days ago, Biden cabinet disappointed. PM Orbán leads Hungary out from NATO by boycotting Sweden?

February 8, 2024

EU had proven ineffective in moving the war in Ukraine towards peace, says Minister Szijjártó in NY

António Guterres and Minister Péter Sztijjártó

The most important international task right now is to avoid an escalation in the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday, warning that if either of those conflicts spread to other countries, it could easily lead to a third world war.

Several international organisations have failed when it came to peace-making in recent years, Szijjártó, who is on a visit to New York, said in a post on Facebook. He argued that the European Union and other organisations had proven ineffective in moving the war in Ukraine towards peace over the last two years.

Instead of peace, there are weapons deliveries, which prolong the conflict and lead to more casualties, he added.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said the global fight against terror had taken “a big hit” last October when Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel. He said the success of Israel’s counter-terrorism operations was a global interest, underlining the importance of protecting civilians and freeing the hostages.

“The United Nations is just about the last hope for preventing escalation in Ukraine and the Middle East,” Szijjártó said.

“I have assured Secretary-General Guterres that Hungary will provide all support to the UN in order to establish peace.”

He said Hungary had paid the last instalment of its member state contribution for this year at the end of January, making it one of the countries that ensures the effective functioning of the organisation.

The minister said that this was “not true for everyone”, noting there was a “rich and powerful country” that owed the UN budget hundreds of millions of dollars, thus threatening the effectiveness of its operations.

Szijjártó said the UN was a key organisation, as it provided a platform for communication even between nations that are at war with each other.