The Hungarian European Union presidency brought common sense to Brussels, a government official for EU affairs said on Monday.
Hungarian EU presidency evaluated
While Europe is still under migration pressure, the problems can at last be addressed thanks to the Hungarian EU presidency, Barna Pál Zsigmond, parliamentary state secretary for EU affairs, told a press conference on the topic of illegal migration. He said Hungary’s programme had given “real answers to real problems”, adding that Hungary’s was the “most successful EU presidency ever”.
The official also noted Hungary’s efforts towards boosting the bloc’s competitiveness, strengthening its defence industry, promoting enlargement and a farmer-focused agricultural policy. But combatting irregular migration and protecting the external borders was its top priority, he added. The state secretary said Hungary had always taken a common-sense and prudent stance on the issue of migration.
He said the EU’s migration pact was a “flawed legal document” that insisted on “quotas and migrant ghettos”. Instead of stopping illegal migration the policies encouraged it, he insisted. With the recent terrorist attacks, illegal migration was increasingly seen as a security risk, he said, arguing that effective action included protecting the external borders, operating an expulsion system and combatting human smugglers. All this was possible with a “right-wing turn in Brussels and member states”, he added. Hungary, he declared, would not turn into “an immigration country”, and 2025 would herald change in this respect.
György Bakondi, the prime minister’s chief advisor on domestic security, said that the situation in 2024 had remained unchanged in terms of where migrants were coming from and activity of human smugglers, adding that Soros NGOs continued to finance migration. He also referred to “no-go zones”, severe terrorist acts and widespread violence against women. The left-liberal media, he said, paid scant attention to this.
The Hungarian authorities apprehended almost 16,000 illegal migrants and 132 people smugglers last year, the prime minister’s chief domestic security advisor said on Friday.
Though this figure is lower compared with previous years, it had still posed a serious challenge, György Bakondi told commercial broadcaster TV2.
The number of irregular migrants arriving in Europe along the Balkan route increased in 2024, Bakondi said, adding that thanks to the cooperation between the Hungarian and Serbian police forces, migrant activity shifted towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia during the year.
Meanwhile, he said predictions that problems stemming from illegal migration would continue unless the European Union changed its “ill-advised” migration policy had come true in 2024.
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Hungarian Government drastically tightens guest worker rules from 2025! – read more HERE
Hungary lowers guest worker cap, 10 countries on the banned list
From the 1st of January 2025, the Hungarian government will introduce significant changes to the Migrant Workers Act, resulting in stricter rules for workers from non-EU countries. The changes are designed to ensure that guest workers can return to their home countries and to limit the scope of workers’ countries of origin.
According to the amendment, it is no longer sufficient for the country of origin of the guest workers to simply promise to take them back. The government is demanding a stronger guarantee that workers will actually leave Hungary when their permits expire.
Photo: Pixabay
As Telex reported, the list of countries of origin has also been substantially revised. While the list previously included countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mongolia, the new rules mean that only two countries, Georgia and Armenia, are now eligible to send guest workers to Hungary. This effectively invalidates the previous list and narrows the possibilities for workers to come.
Maximum framework for guest workers from 2025
According to an official statement by the Hungarian Ministry of National Economy, the number of residence permits that can be issued will also be determined from 2025. This number will be capped at 35,000 per year, including both guest workers and residence permits for employment purposes. This move is intended to keep the number of guest workers under control and to adapt it to economic needs.
Photo: depositphotos.com
Government statements and industry reactions
At his end-of-year press conference, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made it clear that the changes were not unexpected. He stressed that countries that have not undertaken to take back guest workers cannot expect Hungary to accept their workers from the 1st of January 2025. “Ten countries immediately fell off the list, maybe more,” Orbán stated, adding that the countries concerned had been informed in advance. The Prime Minister said that the tightening was in the country’s interest and there was no question of introducing it.
However, the government’s decision was not preceded by a broad consultation of businesses directly involved in the employment of guest workers. News of the tightening therefore came as a surprise to the business community. There had already been talk of the Hungarian government imposing an almost total ban on the employment of non-EU workers in Hungary, but there had been no meaningful consultation on the impact this might have on the economy and the businesses involved.
The importance of these changes
There are several reasons behind stricter regulation. On the one hand, the government is concerned with the protection and stability of the country’s labour market, and on the other hand, it is also focusing on social inclusion issues. Countries that do not ensure the readmission of guest workers will not be allowed to send workers to Hungary in the future, which clearly reflects a tightening of migration policy.
The new guest worker law introduces sweeping changes that severely restrict the countries of origin of workers, cap the number of permits that can be issued and ensure the return of workers to their home countries. While the decision is driven by strategic objectives, the changes may pose unexpected and significant challenges for operators and companies. How the government manages the feedback from economic operators and the labour market will be important in the coming period.
A groundbreaking study has been published, shedding new light on the genetic processes and population patterns of the Carpathian Basin during the Migration Period. This research, led by the Institute of Archaeogenomics at the HUN-REN Humanities Research Centre, represents the most comprehensive exploration of the region’s population dynamics to date.
The research, led by the Institute of Archaeogenomics of the HUN-REN Humanities Research Centre, was carried out in an interdisciplinary manner with the collaboration of several national institutions and the use of state-of-the-art technologies. The results have been published in Science Advances.
According to HUN-REN.hu, the aim of the project is to unravel the genetic imprint of the population movements of the 6th to 11th centuries, with a particular focus on the relationship between the Avars and the core population of the Carpathian Basin, as well as the Avars and the squatters. The researchers analysed 296 human remains during the sample collection and employed advanced technologies such as Identity-by-Descent (IBD) analysis to process the data, which can reveal subtle relationships between archaic populations.
Source: Pixabay
Research background and methods
The research began in 2018 within the framework of the Árpád House programme, which aimed at the genetic analysis of the Transdanubian populations of the 8th to 11th centuries. These populations were compared with the genomes of other periods and regions. The analyses focused on the final period of the Avar Khaganate and the transitional period between the Hungarian conquest and the establishment of the state.
The samples included burials from the 7th to 11th centuries in the Carpathian Basin, as well as an artefact from beyond the Urals linked to the early Hungarians. The analyses revealed not only the genetic imprint of population movements but also the extent to which different populations intermarried.
Relations between the Avars, the squatters and the main population
One of the most intriguing findings is that the biological survival of the Hun groups of the Carpathian Basin, genetically of East Eurasian origin, cannot be detected during the period of the conquest. The Avars, also genetically of East Eurasian origin, formed a closed society and rarely intermarried with the local population. Their biological traces became sporadic after the conquest, meaning that continuity between the Avars and the Hungarians can be ruled out from a genetic perspective.
However, the invaders intermingled with the local population from the moment of their arrival. Although their genetic group constituted only a tenth of the European population that survived the Avar period, this intensive mixing significantly contributed to their survival, both genetically and culturally. This difference may explain why it was the Hungarians who endured in the region.
The research findings demonstrate that the population of the Carpathian Basin experienced considerable changes between the 6th and 11th centuries. The social structure and marriage patterns of the Avars shifted in the 7th century, while the presence of squatters in the Great Plain was substantial by the late 9th and early 10th centuries. Only in the latter half of the 10th century did they migrate into the Transdanubian region, where they integrated with local communities. This period marked the onset of genetic fusion among previously isolated groups, including several communities that had existed since Celtic times.
Hungarian presence before the conquest
A particularly notable outcome of the study is the evidence that Hungarian genetic groups were present in the Transdanubian region prior to the conquest. The remains of an adult male, identified through genetic analysis as an early Hungarian settler from the Ural region, were discovered in strata dated between 870 and 890 in Mosaburg (modern-day Zalavár). His genetic connection to a 10th-century individual from the Lowlands further supports the theory that Hungarians may have reached western territories before the conquest.
This research, the result of six years of dedicated work, has opened new avenues for understanding the population history of the Carpathian Basin. The archaeogenetic analyses have not only illuminated the genetic composition of the era but also provided insights into population relationships, social structures, and migration patterns.
This study has not only deepened our understanding of the past but has also established an essential foundation for future research in the field.
In response to the ongoing challenges posed by terrorism and illegal immigration, Slovenia has announced an increase in border controls with both Croatia and Hungary. This decision follows the recent developments in Syria, which have prompted several European nations to suspend the processing of Syrian asylum claims. Slovenia’s Interior Minister, Boštjan Poklukar, discussed the issue with his Italian and Croatian counterparts, Matteo Piantedosi and Davor Božinović, during a meeting on Tuesday.
Slovenia tightens border controls
Several European countries, including Belgium, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have already suspended the processing of asylum applications from Syria, Economx reports. However, Slovenia has not yet indicated whether it will follow suit. The enhanced border checks are part of Slovenia’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and terrorism, following concerns raised by the latest developments in Syria.
The three countries have agreed to continue discussions during a meeting of EU interior ministers later this week. Slovenia had reinstated temporary border checks on 21 October of the previous year after Italy introduced similar measures on its Slovenian border. Since then, both countries have periodically extended these controls in response to increasing migration pressures.
The number of Hungarians living in Austria has increased significantly in recent years, and the number of Hungarians in Austria could reach more than 100,000 by early 2024. Reasons include better job opportunities, a more stable healthcare system and higher incomes.
In an interview with Szeretlek Magyarország, the Császár couple explained their decision to move to Austria: They decided to move because of their child’s health problems, as they could not find adequate care in Hungary. According to them, the Austrian healthcare system is so advanced and reliable that their child is already receiving the treatment he needs.
Photo: depositphotos.com
The basics of living in Austria
In addition to the healthcare system and higher wages, cost coverage is an important consideration in Austria. For instance, a family of three must have an income of EUR 2,000 to obtain a residence permit, which ensures that the family can live on its own. Rental prices are relatively similar in the countryside and in Vienna, usually between EUR 600 and EUR 800, which includes a share of the rent. Car maintenance, internet and telephone costs are also considerable, but two earners can live comfortably.
In terms of food prices, meat and services are more expensive than in Hungary, but the difference in quality makes it worthwhile for many. Rental prices in eastern Austria and western Hungary are converging, so some families are moving to areas close to the border.
When working in Austria, German language skills are a priority, especially for those looking for graduate jobs. Although English may be sufficient for certain professions, such as programming or medicine, it is mainly spoken in Vienna. In rural areas, German is almost essential. There is less demand for language skills in catering and in lower-skilled jobs such as cleaning or dishwashing, but even here, at least a basic knowledge of the language comes as an advantage.
The situation is somewhat easier for skilled workers, as there is a high demand for this type of labour. They can find employment without language skills, as practical skills predominate. Factory workers working three shifts can earn up to €2,000, well above what they can earn at home.
Photo: depositphotos.com
Hungarian Communities and Integration
Austrian society is basically inclusive and does not discriminate between nationalities. This is partly due to the fact that the culture and customs of Hungarians are in many ways similar to those of Austrians, which facilitates integration. Hungarian communities are active, with many Hungarians living in small towns and schools close to the border. Hungarian language assistance is also available in educational institutions and government offices.
A good example of the cohesiveness of Hungarians in Austria is the Hungarians in Austria website and related Facebook group, set up by the Császár couple. The site offers practical advice and helps people navigate the Austrian system, which is very different from the Hungarian system.
Challenges and the possibility of returning
For those moving to Austria, the biggest challenges are language barriers and bureaucracy. Those who set off unprepared are often forced to return home at short notice. However, those who start with careful planning, sufficient financial resources and at least a basic knowledge of the language are more likely to find a permanent job and a home.
The idea of repatriation is often raised, especially by older people, but the conditions for this are currently poor in Hungary. Improvements in the health and pension systems would be key to encouraging people to consider moving home. Subsidies from the Austrian government, such as family allowances or the climate bonus, also make living there more attractive.
The situation of Hungarians living in Austria is varied: higher incomes and better healthcare make the country attractive to many, but language skills and lack of preparation can be a barrier. Integration is generally smooth, thanks to Austria’s welcoming society and the activism of Hungarian communities. Although the idea of returning is sometimes raised, Austria’s more stable economic and social system currently offers more attractive opportunities.
In recent years, an increasing number of German pensioners have decided to leave their home country and move to Hungary. This is due to economic and political dissatisfaction in German society, as well as the attraction of Hungary’s lower cost of living and political stability.
Hungary is an increasingly popular destination for German retirees, especially those seeking a lower cost of living and a more relaxed lifestyle. In 2022, there were more than 22,000 German citizens living in the country, a significant proportion of them belonging to the older generation. They are attracted not only by the cheap real estate and the pleasant climate but also by Hungary’s political climate, which appeals to them in particular with its anti-immigration rhetoric.
According to Reuters, Andre Iwan’s relationship with Hungary dates back to the 1990s, when he bought land on the shores of Lake Balaton. The original plan was to spend their retirement here, but changes in Germany accelerated the move. The Iwan family’s decision is not unique; many feel that frustration with high taxes and immigration policies in Germany makes a comfortable retirement impossible.
Jürgen Wichert, another German retiree, also found a new home on the shores of Lake Balaton. He also emphasised the ideological aspects: he supports conservative policies and sympathises with leaders such as Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump. Wichert believes that Germany’s middle class needs to suffer an economic downturn for political change to take place. These personal experiences show that migration decisions are motivated not only by economic factors but also by political and ideological considerations.
Although more and more German retirees are moving to Hungary, the country’s younger generations are often moving in the opposite direction, to Western Europe in search of better opportunities. This dichotomy highlights the complexity of migration processes and the different economic situations in European countries.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s hardline anti-immigration policy is a major attraction for those in Germany who are unhappy with liberal politics there. The far-right media portray Hungary as a model of conservatism and order, which further increases interest in the country. However, experts point out that this idealised image does not always reflect reality, as Hungary has a crime rate similar to Germany’s and one of the lowest life satisfaction rates in Europe. In addition, the pandemic, economic turmoil and war have heightened fears and led people to seek stability in countries such as Hungary. Sociologists argue that this is less about objective security and more about the perception of finding order amid chaos.
For retirees like Andre Iwan and Jürgen Wichert, Hungary offers the prospect of a new start, where economic advantages, a favourable climate and political stability combine to create an attractive package. At the same time, these decisions raise deeper questions about identity, European values and immigration. For Hungary’s new residents, this country is not only a home, but also a symbol of the order and stability they seek, and a place where they hope to enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
“We are the new opposition to Brussels,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in an interview to public radio on Friday.
Orbán said that alongside the formation of the new European Commission, the European People’s Party, liberals and socialists had entered into a political deal, with “direct consequences for Hungary” as they were “pro-migration, pro-gender and pro-war” and promoted an economic policy that was “bad for Hungary”.
“So we have to work as the opposition to Brussels,” he said. “We must put up resistance until we manage to take over the majority.”
The prime minister said the commission would “kill the European economy” due to a policy that led to high energy prices.
The Patriots for Europe family “must build a new majority in Brussels”, he said, adding that this was feasible “within the foreseeable future”. The Patriots and the Conservatives groups together, he added, were the second biggest alliance in the European Parliament and would “doom the Brussels government to failure”.
PM Orbán before his briefing about the situation in the EU. Photo: FB/Orbán
Orbánsaid Brussels wanted a government in Hungary that enforced its policies. “They want to redirect us, but this runs contrary to the interests of Hungary and we won’t side with them.”
“If this cannot be done using nice words, it will be done through a political fight,” he added.
Orbán said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber, the head of the European People’s Party, considered Hungary “not as a partner, not even an adversary but an enemy… They have made their own decision: they want a change of government in Hungary.” He insisted that the Tisza Party was their preferred government in Budapest.
Hungary demands the frozen EU funds
Meanwhile, the prime minister said Hungary had more than 12 billion euros of European Union funding on its account, and it must receive the rest of those resources in 2027-2028 or the country would refuse to back the EU budget.
Orbán noted that over 12 billion euros of EU funding was on Hungary’s account and that could flow into the economy. That funding will not be drawn down, rather companies will undertake investments and developments and submit their invoices to the government which will send them to Brussels to get 12.5 billion of pay-outs, he said. That sum would meet the needs of the Hungarian economy until the end of 2026, he added.
He said Hungary, too, was entitled to additional funding but that would be an issue for the period after 2026. If funding not received in 2025-2026 was not transferred in 2027-2028, Hungary “will not vote for” the next seven-year EU budget, approval of which requires a unanimous decision, he added.
Orbán dismissed concerns over the arrival of Hungary’s EU funding, saying that while there were “inconveniences”, the funding would “doubtless” flow into the economy.
Hungary’s budget covers teachers’ wage rise
Orbán said transfers from Brussels would cover 12-15 percent of an increase in teachers’ salaries, but the remaining 85 percent would come from the central budget. He noted that two of Europe’s biggest economies were without a government or, more accurately, with a caretaker government. He added that it wasn’t worth making long-term agreements with a caretaker government. He said the situation was a little better in France, where the president was elected by the people, but the situtation was more difficult in Germany.
Orbán said the European economy was now in a “state of disintegration”, in part because of “bad economic policies” adopted by Brussels over the years that had raised energy prices and hurt the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses. He said families enjoyed protection against high household energy bills, “but we can no longer protect our businesses” as the high energy prices caused by Brussels “undermine the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses”.
The question, he said, was how to get Brussels to change that policy and make energy prices affordable again. He added that the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal signed at an EU summit in the Hungarian capital would require Brussels to take concrete measures to that end in the coming half year.
Peace mission in Vatican
Concerning his recent visit to the Vatican, Orbán said the question of war and peace was “at the heart of Vatican diplomacy and the Holy Father’s thinking about the world, so I went to the best place for confirmation”.
After his audience with Pope Francis, the prime minister met senior Vatican officials and discussed international affairs and bilateral relations. Hungary “received the reassuring confirmation” that the country can continue to count on the Catholic Church and the Holy See, he said.
This, he added, not only pertained to “the matter of peace but to all matters” for which the Catholic Church could provide assistance such as care for the elderly, the sick, and the education of young people. Orbán called longstanding Vatican-Hungary cooperation “excellent”, adding that Hungary could continue to count on the Catholic Church.
Concerning the war in Ukraine, Orbán said the US was “a key player” in the conflict, adding that “without the US the war would long be over”. “Without American participation Ukraine could not put up any resistance,” he said. The US, Hungary’s ally, was “indispensable” for Europe’s security, and “if they packed up an went home, an real possibility, a security vacuum would ensue in Europe in that very moment.”
The security situation in Europe must be resolved once a ceasefire is concluded to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, Orbán said.
Russia very strong, Ukraine very weak
Orbán said Russia had changed, becoming “very strong” on the back of the war, while Ukraine had become “very weak”. Europe’s military, too, was “extremely weak”, he said. “We don’t even have the weapons, ammunition or money” to handle a war with Russia, he added. “All signs of European weakness have appeared.”
So Europe must consider regrouping and finding a solution “that guarantees our security” while situating itself in relation to the US, the prime minister said, adding this would entail a “complex and long series” of talks and actions over the next 1-2 years.
Orbán said “currently there are two US presidents… One is pro-war, supported by George Soros’s international power groups” while “Donald Trump will attempt to make peace”.
The prime minister said it was “too much” that the US secretary of state “on the far side of the Atlantic, in security and comfort” should suggest that “it is time Kyiv should lower the conscription age from 25 to 18 years … so that even more young Ukrainians die.” “Impertinently throwing that into the world’s face shows that it is high time for change in America,” Orbán said, adding that Ukraine was “stuck”. He said they had chosen “the wrong strategy when they failed to achieve a ceasefire with Russia around April 2022.”
Orbán called the situation “absurd” but added that once Trump was inaugurated on Jan 20, “the situation will smooth out” with things becoming “simpler and manageable”. Until then “we’ll be close to peace but in a difficult and dangerous situation at the same time.”
Meanwhile, Orbán said he had met Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Italy for talks on peace and migration. Both the Hungarian and Italian governments “firmly oppose any form of migration and seek to change policy in Brussels”.
Orbán ready to fight for Hungary’s sovereignty
He said the European People’s Party had formed “a government coalition with liberals and Socialists” which would have “a direct impact on Hungary”. The new EU leadership was “pro-migration, pro-gender and pro-war”, he said, while its economic policy was “bad for Hungary”. The Hungarian government “must act in opposition to Brussels and stay in opposition until its gains a majority,” he said. The new European Commission “will kill the European economy mostly through its policy resulting in high energy prices,” Orbán said, insisting that the Patriots for Europe group would “build a new majority in Brussels … in the foreseeable future”.
The Patriots and Conservatives were “the second biggest alliance” in Brussels, he said, adding that it would grow, “dooming the incumbent Brussels government to failure”.
“We will stand up and fight for Hungary’s sovereignty and for the interests of the Hungarian people,” Orbán said.
He said Brussels was “working to ensure that Hungary has a government that implements its policy… They want to redirect us, but this runs contrary to the interests of Hungary and we won’t side with them.” “If this cannot be done using nice words, it will be done through a political fight,” he added.
Orbán said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber, the head of the European People’s Party, considered Hungary “not as a partner, not even an adversary but an enemy… They have made their own decision: they want a change of government in Hungary.”
He insisted that Brussels had chosen the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party and its leader to be its “government in Budapest”, adding that it was “absurd” for Brussels “to determine what kind of government Hungary should have, forcing on us Brussels policies, which are bad for us, and expecting us to accept it.”
Orbán believes Tisza Party was chosen in Brussels
“If they want to appoint governors for us, we will fight back,” he said.
The security situation in Europe must be resolved once a ceasefire is concluded to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, Orbán said.
He said Russia had changed, becoming “very strong” on the back of the war, while Ukraine had become “very weak”. Europe’s military, too, was “extremely weak”, he said. “We don’t even have the weapons, ammunition or money” to handle a war with Russia, he added. “All signs of European weakness have appeared.”
So Europe must consider regrouping and finding a solution “that guarantees our security” while situating itself in relation to the US, the prime minister said, adding this would entail a “complex and long series” of talks and actions over the next 1-2 years.
Germany is facing huge difficulties
Meanwhile, Orbán said he had met representatives of the German economy, adding that Germany was facing “huge difficulties”. For the first time since the early 2000s “factories are again closed down in Germany … not one or two but many,” he added. He said German plants in Hungary should be appreciated, and he called a competitive environment to be created “so that plants in Hungary are not shut down.”
Orban said those factories, places of production and investments, were “extremely valuable, and we have a vested interest in saving them, notwithstanding the woes of German industry.” Talks yesterday centred on developing plants rather than closing them down, he added. “BMW is building a plant in Hungary because it seems to them that Germany is in trouble, and that the Hungarian economic environment is better for them.”
Orban said Hungary “will be fine” if it sticks to the policy of economic neutrality, “and pays attention to the Chinese and US markets as well as Brussels and finds the right balance”.
Commenting on the recently announced Demján Sándor Programme to scale up local SMEs, Orban said the size of the scheme was unprecedented. He added that there were around 900,000 SMEs in Hungary, accounting for two-thirds of all jobs. He acknowledged an agreement with the newly elected leadership of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) on implementing the Demján Sándor Programme, while the government contributed resources and regulations to the scheme.
Developing SMEs, he said, was the responsibility of the MKIK rather than of ministries, he said, adding that ministries could “make decisions and at best create good regulations and a beneficial environment, but managing a programme of that scale is not a ministerial task.”
He welcomed an agreement with the MKIK, which amounted to “the economy will manage that themselves, and we provide the funding and regulations.”
Orbán congratulates Hungarians’ party in Romania
Commenting on the recent Romanian general election, Orbán said RMDSZ’ssuccess strengthened the Hungarian nation. “We are still a serious nation. A nation’s seriousness can be gauged by how far it recognises danger, and when it senses danger, if it musters the ability to act,” he said.
Orbán said Romania was in a perilous situation but the Hungarian community “with a state-building tradition” had sensed danger and had come together to take action to avert it.
The prime minister said Hungary strove to “establish friendly relations with Romania” so as to secure for Hungarians living there “a more moderate kind of politics”.
He noted that Hungary’s EU presidency was overseeing Romania’s admission to the Schengen area and the dissolution of the border between the two countries. “This is especially important for the people living there and it also greatly benefits economic life; it’s also in the interests of Romanians, too, of course,” he said.
He said Bulgaria and Romania had been in a state of “helplessness and a stalemate”, but this was now being “resolved”. “The final decision is still ahead of us, but we’ve come to an agreement with everyone,” he said, adding that Hungary had made a big gesture towards Romania by fighting for the country’s Schengen membership. “I hope this, whichever president is elected this weekend, will be a good starting point,” he added.
News came today afternoon that Romania’s Supreme Court annuledpresidential election results due to Russian interference.
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PM Orbán awards ‘Mr Russia’, Hungary interested in Russia’s new security system – read more HERE
FM Szijjártó continuespeace mission: he negotiated with Lavrov in Malta
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in her office on Wednesday, Orbán’s press chief said.
Meloni congratulated Orbán on Hungary’s successful EU presidency, especially with regards to the Budapest declaration on competitiveness and to opening accession negotiations with Albania, Bertalan Havasi said. During Hungary’s tenure, there had been a “breakthrough” in Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area too, she said.
Meloni and Orbán reiterated their commitment to further deepening their countries’ bilateral partnership, and said that trade reached 14 billion euros in 2023. There is room for further improvement, too, especially in the infrastructure and energy sectors, they said.
The prime ministers pledged to boost the intensity of political dialogue, and to coordinate on the most important international issues. They discussed the situation in the Middle East and a “fair and sustainable peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and the principles of international law.”
They also talked about their commitment to reconstruction in Ukraine, in preparation for a conference on the topic slated to be held in July 2025 in Italy.
Italian-Hungarian cooperation is thriving in defence and security within the framework of NATO, especially regarding the 260 Italian troops in the multinational battalion under Hungarian command, they said. The two countries continue to support NATO and EU initiatives aiming to stabilise the Western Balkans, and support the EU integration of the region, the prime ministers said.
Orbán and Meloni also discussed illegal migration, and called for increased cooperation with countries of origin and transit to handle the causes of migration as well as to fight people smuggling and trading in human persons, Havasi said. The EU legislative framework must be urgently updated to make repatriation easier and faster, “especially by clarifying and strengthening the concept of a safe country of origin,” they said.
They also said new methods must be found to prevent and fight illegal migration in line with EU and international law, “along the lines of the agreement between Italy and Albania”, Havasi said.
In a joint statement after the meeting, Orbán and Meloni emphasised the importance of taking a stand against illegal migration, pledged to continue strengthening economic cooperation and praised defence cooperation within NATO.
Hungary’s ruling parties are “the opposition to a pro-migration Brussels”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a video uploaded to Facebook on Tuesday.
Speaking after a board meeting of his ruling party, Orbán said Fidesz MEPs “fighting in Brussels” had presented “a report from the battlefield.” He said the EU had “launched a campaign of lies” against Hungary by claiming that Hungary was not obliged to accommodate illegal migrants.
He said Hungary opposed the EU migration pact because it would force member states to allow migrants in and set up “migrant ghettos, completely dismantling Hungary’s border protection system”.
Orbán said
Hungary has spent some 2 billion euros on border controls so far and “deserves an award rather than punishment.”
“When it comes to migration, it’s enough to make just one mistake; countries with weak governments and leaders allowed migrants in and they will never be able to get rid of them,” he said.
“We won’t allow that … they can appoint a governor or install a puppet government, but we won’t give in,” he said while the video showed images of Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party.
The EU migration pact is “full of holes”, György Bakondi, the prime minister’s domestic security adviser, said on Saturday, arguing that a big drawback from Hungary’s point of view was that illegal migrants must be distributed among the EU member states according to quotas.
Also “massive” open refugee camps would have to be built to process refugee applications within a deadline, he told public broadcaster M1, adding that many migrants would simply leave and continue their journeys.
As well as migrants who receive asylum, many submit applications that are not accepted, while others do not even try to seek asylum at all, he said. Possibly hundreds of thousands bypass the authorities and work illegally or resort to crime, he added.
The Orbán cabinet wants to stop illegal migration. Source: depositphotos.com
United Nations data shows that almost 1 million irregular migrants come to Europe each year, he said.
The latest EUpact that three EP party families backed “is all about keeping this situation alive, with unforeseeable consequences for the future of Europe,” he said.
Also, people who gain political asylum and legally reside in a given country are aided with housing support and jobs, he added.
Bakondi insisted that most terrorists in Europe were illegal migrants who had not been expelled, so their presence on the continent “poses a serious threat” to everyday public security, he added.
Europe’s competitiveness in space relies on competence, resilience, says minister
Europe’s competitiveness in space relies on developing competences to ensure Europe’s autonomous access to Earth’s orbit and strengthening the resilience of its space infrastructure, a national economy ministry official said in a statement on Saturday. Richárd Szabados, the state secretary for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and technology, on Friday chaired a competitiveness council meeting on space activities in Brussels, where member states adopted a report on strengthening competences in European space activities and the interim evaluation of the EU Space Programme.
New projects in addition to the Galileo and Copernicus programmes such as the EU governmental satellite communications (GOVSATCOM) programme are essential to the bloc’s ability to maintain its technological independence, the statement said. A well-run space policy plays a strategic role in ensuring the EU’s technological sovereignty, as well as bolstering the resilience of space infrastructure and stimulating economic growth, the statement said.
Szabados said the rapid development of space technology and its potential applications required legal regulation, so Hungary supports the development of a space legal framework at the EU level. “It is essential to establish a legal framework to regulate the activities of state and non-state actors in space,” he said, adding that the relevant legal framework for this was scheduled to be a highlighted aspect of the Polish presidency’s agenda, the statement added.
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Tourists and immigrants revitaliseBudapest’s iconic region as 1/5th of shops change
Orbán said the government’s earlier pledge of a one million forint average wage had been received by “a choir of the sceptical” but he said it had been no different from the reception of the government’s 2010 announcement of efforts to create one million new jobs.
“They said it was impossible, still, compared to 3.7 million employed at the time now we have 4.7 million people in employment… Hungary can achieve the one million forint average wage,” he said.
The prime minister suggested that companies should strive for efficiency and higher productivity to be able to offer the higher wages. He also added that the government was open to proposals by the chamber of commerce aimed at tax cuts, better vocational training and programmes to increase the efficiency of companies.
Hungarians in Romania must have parliamentary representation, Orbán says
Meanwhile, Orbánsaid that at the parliamentary elections set for Sunday, Hungarians in Romania will have to “make sure” that they have representation in the national assembly. “Without parliamentary representation it is impossible to promote the interests of the Hungarian community in the whole of the Carpathian Basin,” he added. If ethnic Hungarians had “appropriate weight” in the Romanian parliament they could make the Hungarian government’s job easier, facilitating assistance to them from Hungary.
PM Orbán with PM Ciolacu in Budapest. The Social Democrat leader could not get into the second round. Photo: MTI
He said Hunor Kelemen, the head of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), had “held his own” in the first round of the Romanian presidential election, representing not just ethnic Hungarians but the entire nation.
He said the Romanian presidential election campaign had demonstrated how modern technology connects with voters, adding that the kind of social media platforms used in a campaign and how they influence voters was a “very exciting and undetermined question”.
“Romania is a testing ground for this, and we can draw the various conclusions and determine whether we have any work to do in preventing such problems in Hungary,” he said.
Hungary will get peacetime budget in 2025
On another subject, the prime minister said the “peacetime” budget bill submitted by the government opened the door to a new economic policy.
He said the draft budget being debated in parliament assumes that US President-elect Donald Trump can end the war. This is why, Orbán said, the government could implement a large minimum wage increase, roll out credit for young blue collar workers, launch a scheme for strengthening SMEs and introduce measures to ensure affordable housing and support young people.
Orbán said Hungary was capable of making use of the opportunities presented by peace, adding that “we won’t waste a single moment”.
Struggles with the EU
He added, at the same time, that the government would have to carry out these measures “in opposition to the European Union”.
“We’re locked in simultaneous struggles with the European Union on the issues of economic policy, migration and child protection,” the prime minister said. “The point of the National Consultation survey is to strengthen Hungary’s position in this struggle and to be successful in fighting these battles.”
He said the end of the war would mean peace, peace would mean security and security would bring a “good economy”.
But, he said, the EU was “constantly blocking and attacking Hungary’s economic policy”. He said he fended these off and wanted to “protect Hungary from these decisions in Brussels”, adding that this required a fight, which required strength and support. “We’re in the opposition in Brussels,” he added.
Orbán said the implementation of the migration pact would be “fatal” for Hungary.
He also said the hearing of the lawsuit aimed at scrapping Hungary’s child protection law was under way at the European Court of Justice. He said there was a political party that would allow same-sex couples to adopt in Hungary. “This is completely at odds with the child protection law,” Orbán said, adding that “we have to win the battles against Brussels.”
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The Patriots for Europe group will not vote for Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission in light of its “backroom deals and poor decisions” that “set Europe on the path of crisis in the past five years”, Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál said in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
“The Patriots’ and Fidesz delegation’s stance is clear: we and the European majority who voted for us in the European parliamentary elections want European politics to change,” Gálsaid before a plenary debate on the commissioners and the commission’s programme.
Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán
She insisted that Europe was on the path towards “bankruptcy” on issues such as illegal migration, the centralisation of the Brussels administration, “anti-farmer greenwashing”, and its “pro-war position”.
She added that the new commission, backed by the European People’s Party and left-liberals, was incapable of answering to voters who desired change in the way the bloc was run and the policies it pursued.
Gál said the “unacceptable pact” determining the next five years would lead to “further illegal migration, war-mongering, ideologically driven politics, and the blackmailing of member states” by withholding EU funds.
Commenting on commissioner hearings in the EP, she said the outcomes had been decided in advance, regardless of the commissioner-designate’s professional preparedness, and she insisted that Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi had amply demonstrated his competence.
The Patriots group and Fidesz “represent change in the EU”, she said. “It’s clear that our voters everywhere want a voice for change,” she said, adding that “peace, an end to illegal migration, border protection, freedom from ideology and sovereignty” were their top priorities.
Opposition Mi Hazánk protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s decision to invite Benjamin Netanyahu, “his friend”, to visit Hungary after the International Criminal Court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister on war crime charges, the party said on Friday.
In a statement, the party said that Orbán had withheld the fact that the court had also issued an arrest warrant against the leaders of Hamas.
“Viktor Orbán would normally not be this tough with various other international tribunals when the matter concerns Hungary’s interests,” Mi Hazánk said.
“Despite all the show of strength, Hungary keeps paying compensation to criminals released from prison if the Strasbourg court so rules,” the party said.
PM Orbán and PM Netanyahu. Photo: facebook.com/deakdanielelemez
Here’s the reaction of Netanyahu
Orbán is inviting Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Hungary, the PM said in an interview to public radio on Friday. Referring to an arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister issued by the International Criminal Court on Thursday, Orbán called the move “outrageously brazen and cynical”, amounting to “interference in an ongoing conflict in legal disguise” and motivated by politics.
Orbán said this was in itself wrong and would completely discredit the reputation of international law and could “add fuel to the fire”. He said he had “no other choice but to oppose” the ruling. Referring to the invitation, Orbán said he would guarantee that
the ICCruling would not be applied in Hungary, adding that “we will not follow its provisions”.
“We solely consider the quality and state of Israel-Hungary ties … Israel’s prime minister will be surrounded by suitable security to conduct substantive talks in Hungary,” he said.
Netanyahu on Friday afternoon thanked the Hungarian prime minister for the invitation, saying: “I thank Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the warm support for me and the State of Israel”.
Photo: FB/Benjamin Netanyahu
“Against the shameful weakness of those who have lined up alongside the outrageous decision against the State of Israel’s right to defend itself, Hungary – like our friends in the US – has shown moral clarity and steadfastness on the side of justice and the truth,” he said.
Anti-Semitism, violence emerged in W European cities alongside migration, Orbán’s secretary says
Anti-Semitism, violence and the threat of terrorism has emerged in western European cities alongside migration, the “brutal and terrifying” consequences of pro-immigration policies, Balazs Hidveghi, the parliamentary state secretary of the prime minister’s cabinet office, said on Thursday.
“Jews and homosexuals” in Germany are told by the police to avoid Arab neighborhoods in Berlin “for their own safety”, while Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam were recently attacked “brutally”, he said, adding that order was restored only after several days.
The Brussels and left-wing pro-immigration policy “is ruining Europe irretrievably”, he said, adding in the video that “they want to install a puppet government in Budapest”.
He referred to “self-confessed Soros agents” who would “betray the Hungarian people and allow migrants in at any time”.
Hidveghi said the public can insist on Hungary’s right to opt out of the acceptance and distribution of migrants by responding to the National Consultation questionnaire. “Only this way can we preserve our country’s security,” he added.
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Budapest’s iconic Nagykörút has seen significant revitalisation, driven by tourists and immigrant entrepreneurs, with one-fifth of its shops changing within a year. Food and drink establishments have become dominant, while Asian and Middle Eastern eateries are increasingly popular. Despite some positive trends, challenges remain, including poor infrastructure and a rise in homelessness.
Two years ago, a survey by G7 of Budapest’s Nagykörút revealed that 129 out of 662 retail spaces were vacant, indicating significant economic challenges. By November last year, the situation slightly improved, with the number of businesses rising to 673 and vacant stores reducing to 100. Recent observations show continued recovery, as the number of shops increased to 678, with only 75 vacant premises remaining.
The Nagykörút’s profile remains dominated by food and drink establishments, despite issues like noise, lack of cleanliness, and limited green spaces. The section bordering the city’s famed ruin pubs leads in nightlife, heavily focusing on gastronomic venues. Notably, this year saw eateries surpass vacant properties in number, showing the significant influence of restaurants and food-related businesses in the area. Local food stores often act as informal substitutes for bars or restaurants.
Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants have notably grown, with an influx of businesses run by immigrant entrepreneurs, especially serving Indian and Vietnamese cuisine, G7 reports. Currency exchange offices, catering to tourists, remain stable, while niche shops selling snacks or specialising in specific items like chips and local lángos are increasing. On the other hand, shops meeting local needs—electronics, clothing stores, banks, bakeries, and opticians—have stagnated or slightly declined.
Instability seen among businesses
Hair salons have seen a marked increase, often operated by foreign barbers, resulting in a greater number of hair-cutting locations than bakeries. In total, nearly 120 out of 678 retail units have changed over the past year, signalling instability among businesses. The Nagykörút has also shown economic division: shops between Oktogon and Jászai Mari Square are more stable compared to the section extending toward Boráros Square, where changes are nearly three times more frequent.
Despite these commercial developments, the general conditions of the Nagykörút remain problematic. Sidewalks have not improved, and there is a noticeable increase in homelessness and people collecting recyclable bottles. Defunct phone booths, repurposed as makeshift restrooms, still dot the landscape.
While the backless bench featured in a previous report of G7 is gone and has been replaced entirely, new street furniture attempts to improve the public experience. Additionally, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has applied for EU funding under the TOP Plusz program to build a new bike lane. If approved, the HUF 4.5 billion (EUR 11 million) project could begin in 2025, with completion optimistically expected by summer 2028. This bike lane could potentially revamp the area, making it more appealing commercially by enhancing pedestrian zones and overall infrastructure.
While more and more in Europe are discussing illegal migration with the voice of reason, it is clear that the “Brussels elite” continues to support migration and is trying to put pressure on member states, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Szijjártó meets with Morten Messerschmidt
Budapest and Copenhagen share a number of positions concerning illegal migration, “the gravest security challenge facing Europe”, Szijjártó said after talks with the leader of the Danish People’s Party and Denmark’s immigration minister.
“There’s been an intense debate about this in the Western world for 9-10 years now,” Szijjártó said. “It’s clear that some elections are even decided by the issue of migration,” he added, noting that immigration had been a key issue in the US presidential election campaign, “and it was won by the candidate who put his country’s security first and spoke clearly about the dangers of illegal immigration”.
Szijjártó said that the deterioration of Europe’s security situation was clearly linked to “the emergence of mass migrant waves”.
Noting Hungary’s opposition to migration, he said there was “no question in Hungary that the security of the Hungarian people is the number one consideration”.
He noted that the Hungarian government has spent more than 2 billion euros on the protection of the country’s southern border over the last nine years, thwarting some 630,000 illegal entry attempts.
Had Hungary not done this and instead “given in to Brussels, there would be hundreds of thousands or millions more illegal migrants in Europe today”, and Hungarians, too, would have to be living together with them, the minister said.
“We Hungarians consider it outrageous that that while we’re protecting the European Union’s external borders, our own security and that of and Europeans, we’re ordered to pay a million euros a day to Brussels as a financial sanction,” he said, referring to a fine the EU court instructed Hungary to pay for refusing to implement several of the bloc’s migration rules.
“Were it up to Brussels and Hungarian opposition politicians supporting Brussels, Hungary would be flooded by illegal migrants,” Szijjártó said, insisting that Brussels wanted to “install a puppet government in Hungary” so that illegal migrants could enter the country.
He praised Denmark’s “rational migration policy”, underlining that the two countries were in agreement on the need to bolster the protection of the EU’s external borders.
Szijjártó urged the launch of major development schemes in migrant-sending African countries with a view to eliminating the root causes of migration.
“Economic, health-care and education development schemes are needed, because Africa’s population is projected to increase by almost a billion in the next 20-25 years,” he said.
He noted that Hungary has spent more than half a billion euros on developments in Africa over the past five years and offers higher-education scholarships to 1,835 African students each year.
The essence of the Budapest Process is cooperation on the issue of migration and dialogue, Interior Minister Sándor Pintér said after the 7th Ministerial Conference of the Budapest Process on Tuesday.
It has taken the ministers involved a year of work to approve a joint declaration and adopt an action plan, Pintér told a press conference.
Michael Spindelegger and Sándor Pintér. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
The aim of the action plan is to map out the steps that need to be taken at the border and in caring for refugees, the minister said.
He said the overall issue of migration included illegal migration, people smuggling and legal migration that can support the economy.
Tuesday’s conference was attended by representatives from some 50 countries and seven international organisations, Pintér said. The Turkish chairmanship of the Budapest Process has led to its expansion to the Silk Routes region, he said, noting that there are now more than 50 countries involved in the dialogue on illegal migration.
As regards the priorities, Pintér highlighted cooperation in the fight against illegal migration and people smuggling and cooperation in ensuring mobility so that the EU and Silk Routes region economies can grow and provide labour to the countries that need it.
Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) said the joint declaration was an assessment of today’s migration trends, while the action plan applied to the next five years. He said it was important to be prepared for migration waves, and cooperation was a good way to handle the challenge.
A competitiveness pact dubbed the Budapest Declaration submitted by the Hungarian presidency of the European Union was approved at the informal meeting of EU heads of state and government in Budapest on Friday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a press conference after the meeting. He added that it was necessary to “make Europe great again”.
Orbán condemned “anti-Semitic attacks” in Amsterdam
At a joint press conference with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel, Orbán said that on behalf of Hungary he condemned the “anti-Semitic attacks” that had taken place in Amsterdam on Thursday.
The attack was unacceptable also to Hungarians, he said. Orbán added that Budapest, where Europe’s largest synagogue was only “a stone’s throw away” from the city’s largest Catholic cathedral, was a meeting place of different cultures, East and West, North and South, which made the city “uniquely tolerant”. “That’s why we live together in peace and security here in Budapest, and I wish Amsterdam’s residents to succeed with the same,” he added.
Photo: MTI
“We will fight our battles in Brussels”
Commenting on the EU summit, Orbán said it was common knowledge that there are serious political conflicts between the EC and Hungary and he had also had disputes with von der Leyen. At the same time, he said the EC president was this time a guest in Budapest and she deserved a polite welcome and respect, so there had been no disputes at all at the meeting.
“We will fight our battles in Brussels,” he said.
Informal meeting approves key document
Orbán said there was full consensus about the main topic of the summit, which was competitiveness, and a competiveness pact had been approved in line with the Hungarian presidency’s goal. He referred to the document as the “Budapest declaration” and thanked all the related work of his colleagues, the president of the commission, the president of the European Council, and Mario Draghi who had prepared a report on competitiveness.
The document places a focus on competitiveness in the next five years, and states that immediate action is needed, he said.
The growth of the European Union was slower in the past two decades than the growth of China or the US, and the EU’s productivity is growing slower than its competitors’, with the EU’s share in world trade decreasing. EU companies pay three times higher price for electricity and four times higher price for natural gas than their US competitors, he added.
Simplification revolution needed
Outlining a number of points of the Budapest Declaration on competitiveness, Orbán said a “simplification revolution” would be implemented and companies’ reporting obligations would be “drastically reduced” by the end of the first half of 2025. A capital market union will be implemented in full, a European defence industry base will be established, urgent measures will be taken to bring down energy prices and a “genuine” industrial policy will take shape in the coming period, he added.
Orbán said everybody at the summit had agreed that R+D spending should be raised to 3 percent of GDP by 2030.
He said the capital market union would be fully implemented.
Orbán said Europeans’ savings totalled more than Americans’ but Europeans keep their savings in banks and banks are “genetically” unsuitable for financing various high-risk high-tech investments.
Bank deposits should be transferred to capital funds, European citizens should be convinced to do this in order to make the money more easily available for innovative economic solutions, he said. Steps will be taken to achieve this, the prime minister added.
European defence industrial base will be established
Orbán said it had been decided that a European defence industrial base would be established.
He said that it had been agreed that an assessment or so-called competitiveness test would be prepared for all new legislative proposals, in order to see their impact of new legal regulations on competitiveness.
He added that the EC president and the members of the Council were in agreement that competitiveness issues would be regularly addressed at the meetings of the European Council.
The prime minister said teh Budapest meeting gave reason for optimism. “Nobody wants to manage a decline, rather we all want to make Europe great again,” he added. Orbán said that if the Americans had decided to make America great again, the only possible European response was to “make Europe great again”.
In response to a question concerning why competitiveness had not been improved and bureaucracy reduced already despite these being among the Lisbon Treaty’s goals, Ursula von der Leyen said that huge transformation had taken place in competitiveness, for instance in research and development. The performance of the various European sectors has been reviewed at the talks, identifying the strengths and weaknesses, she added.
She said red tape and reporting obligations would be cut and a related joint proposal would be submitted to parliament and the council.
Economic questions
Commenting on planned talks with the US president-elect on trade, she said relations would be continually maintained and consultations are planned on shared interests. She said one such area was the purchase of liquefied natural gas, adding that a large amount of it was still being purchased from Russia, and it should be replaced by purchases from the US. This could also help reduce energy prices, Von der Leyen said and added that consultations should be started about this, as well as on the trade balance.
Answering a question, President of the European Council Charles Michel said that energy in the EU was a national competence but the member states should still act together to reduce prices. It must be taken into consideration that energy is a means of sovereignty and also a strategic issue, he said.
The same applies to financial markets, he said, adding that they also served as a means for directing investments towards European innovation. He highlighted the need for the capacities to be freed in the interest of economic development and added that Orbán had demonstrated with examples that the EU was falling behind its competitors.
Commenting on competitiveness, Michel said it was necessary to see that the situation called for urgent action. In response to a question on new financial instruments, he said solidarity should not be forgotten. Mutual trust depends not only on financial support and a willingness for making internal reforms was also important, he added.
Von der Leyen said it was obvious that more private investment and more state investment was needed. The priorities must be defined first, she added. She said there were two solutions for financing at a European level: with new own resources or by making payments to the common budget. Both required capital increase, she added.
The summit was excellent
Commenting on the newly approved pact, the Hungarian prime minister said it had been easy to reach an agreement on competitiveness because it was a pragmatic matter and not a matter of ideology. In response to a question, he said the goals defined in Lisbon were not realistic anymore because of the great changes that have taken place since. He said that fulfilling goals was a management issue, and if Europe had good leaders then they could be achieved.
Orbán said that prior to the summit, much could be heard about Hungary’s isolation and a dislike for the country, a failure of the summit and that European leaders would refuse to attend. Yet, the summit had been excellent, with good cooperation, he added. The competitiveness pact has been approved whereas earlier everyone said this would be impossible, he said. They trust each other, and being good leaders, they will be able to achieve the competitiveness goals presented, he added.
Commenting on future relations with the US, he said he expected some tough negotiations. Donald Trump will surely have some ideas on how trade should develop “obviously along US interests”, he said. Europe will have to stand up for itself, engage in talks and reach a deal in the end, he added.
In response to another question, Orbán said there were two more months left of the Hungarian EU presidency, “this has been a good gathering with nice results”, but he still held some surprises up his sleeve.
Financial support for Ukraine remains
Commenting on financial support for Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen said that in addition to a 50 billion euro loan package from the G7 would also be available for Ukraine until 2026. She said that Russia posed a threat to the security of not only Europe but the whole world. Russia is increasingly lining up with Iran and North Korea and together with China they “feed and fuel this war”, she added. Russia uses Chinese and Iranian technology in the battlefield which shows that the security of the Pacific region and Europe are interconnected, she said.
Michel added that steps must be taken in the interest of just peace but “nothing should be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine”. If Europe sends a sign of weakness to the Kremlin, it will also send a message to other regimes that they could violate international law and Europe would become vulnerable, he added.
Orbán said he had first presented his position about the war in March 2022 and it has not changed ever since. “The Hungarian position is clearly pro-peace and pro-Hungarian,” he added. He also said that since the outbreak of the war,
Hungary had provided the largest humanitarian aid to Ukrainians, receiving several hundred thousand refugees, but it refused to get involved in the military conflict.
Different opinion not isolation
He said that when someone holds a different opinion from others, it does not mean isolation, only a dispute. That’s how democracy was born, he said, adding that “functioning in headwind from a political point of view is part of my DNA,” he said. Orbán added that Hungary had been alone in 2015 when it started building a fence and holding the position that migration must be stopped at the border. “We were alone, but we did not get isolated, we were part of the debate,” he said.
In response to an additional question about the war, Orbán said Ukraine was a sovereign country and the Ukrainians must decide if they continue the fight.
“I never try to dictate to the Ukrainians, it is their country, their future, and their life … but I am ready to help them any time,” he said. The prime minister added that during visits to Kyiv and Moscow it became clear to him that neither of the warring sides was ready for ceasefire and they were both convinced that time was on their side. He said that he had tried to create an international pro-peace environment to allow that the warring parties could sooner or later sign a ceasefire agreement.
