Slovenia

Hungarian foreign minister, Slovenia PM inaugurate upgraded Pragersko-Hodos railway line

Murska Subota, Slovenia, June 10 (MTI) – Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó inaugurated the upgraded and electrified Pragersko-Hodos (Orihodos) railway line with Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar in north-eastern Slovenia’s Murska Subota (Muraszombat) on Friday.

The 109km railway line is part of the so-called Mediterranean Corridor and was the only section of the sole railway line connecting Slovenia and Hungary that had yet to be electrified.

Szijjártó said the upgrade will be a big step forward for Hungary’s foreign trade activities as exports en route to the Middle East and Far East will reach the Port of Koper in western Slovenia a lot faster than before. Hungary’s exports to the Arab world and Asia amount to 8 billion dollars and most of it is conducted through the Port of Koper.

About 20 percent of the freight from the port has ties to Hungary, Szijjártó said. Hungarian companies ship or receive 170,000 containers through the port every year, he added.

The minister noted that Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia had jointly initiated setting up the Baltic-Adriatic “Amber” rail freight corridor. As part of that project, Hungary has begun upgrading a number of its own railway lines, he said.

Szijjártó said Hungary and Slovenia will also expand the M70 motorway linking Budapest and Ljubljana to four lanes. The upgrade is expected to be completed by 2019 at the latest. The two countries will also set up two new border stations by 2020 and connect their electricity networks and transmission systems.

Cerar said the investment will allow trains to travel along the line at speeds of up to 170km/h. The project could provide the impetus for further action by Slovenia and Hungary, he added. The railway line contains a total of 78 junctions.

The upgrade of the Pragersko-Hodos line cost 465.5 million euros with 231.1 million euros coming from the European Union’s Cohesion Fund.

Photo: MTI

Hungary mulling EUR 1.6m economic package for Slovenia Hungarians

Dobronak, Slovenia (MTI) – A 500 million forint (EUR 1.6m) package proposed in Hungary’s 2017 budget would help ethnic Hungarians in Slovenia in terms of boosting the local economy, increasing employment and providing incentives for people to stay in their homeland, a lawmaker of the ruling Fidesz party said in Slovenia’s Dobronak on Wednesday.

Károly Pánczél, the head of the national cohesion committee of the Hungarian parliament, told a press conference after a meeting of the body held in Slovenia that the programme involves plans for a pilot farm to promote local products, as well as opening a Hungarian-language school and students’ hostel.

Pánczél said that the government was planning to increase financing for the programme in the following years, and added that the annual total could reach several billion forints.

Local ethnic Hungarian leader Ferenc Horváth said his community was suffering from a lack of Hungarian schools and church organisations, as well as a tendency of young people leaving. He voiced hope that the Hungarian government’s programme and the planned reopening of the Hungarian consulate general in Lendava (Lendva) would be of great assistance to Slovenia’s ethnic Hungarians.

Earlier in the day, members of the parliamentary delegation met with local Hungarian leaders and unveiled a plaque in memory of ethnic Hungarians who died in 1945.

The forum representing lawmakers from the Carpathian Basin hold in Budapest

Budapest, April 1 (MTI) – Keeping Hungarian workers in the Carpathian Basin is crucial for the region in the long run, House Speaker László Kövér said at Friday’s plenary session of the forum representing lawmakers from the Carpathian Basin (KMKF) in Budapest.

Kövér told the forum that labour migration was not a uniquely Hungarian problem, pointing out that neighbouring countries deal with greater labour shortages than Hungary or Hungarian diaspora communities.

Over the coming years, Hungary will have to focus its efforts on managing the labour market in a way that creates stable work environments for all Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin, he said. This strategy will ensure that Hungarians will have not just an emotional but also an economic interest in staying in their homeland. The KMKF will have an important role in putting together this strategy, Kövér added.

The house speaker said Hungary’s ability to implement the interests of its policy for Hungarian communities abroad would depend on whether the country can protect that policy from “political opponents” who aim to convince the international community that Hungary’s diaspora policy is a risk to the stability of the Carpathian Basin. Right now it appears that the political opponents are winning, he said.

He said the success of the diaspora policy will also depend on how much of a battlefield the Carpathian Basin will become between the interests of the United States and Russia. The region will remain a battlefield until the European Union decides that it wants to be a bridge between the Euro-Atlantic alliance and the Eurasian political pole as opposed to a barrier, he said.

Photo: MTI

Hungarian government declares migration crisis

Budapest, March 9 (MTI) – The government has declared a nationwide migration crisis, the interior minister announced on Wednesday.

Sándor Pintér noted that Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia had introduced special measures at the borders from midnight. He said these countries were only accepting migrants according to Schengen rules for the external border, namely that only people with valid passports and visas can enter.

He said it was not known what kind of reaction could be expected from refugees or illegal migrants who are already in these countries, Pintér said, explaining Hungary’s decision to send border reinforcements and the government’s declaration of a crisis.

Pintér said that in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia around 10,000 people were without a permit, and “it is not yet known in which direction they will set off”.

Pintér said that “significantly increased (migrant) movements” have been reported at Hungary’s fenced-off southern borders and the authorities are monitoring developments. Transit areas and asylum-seeker checkpoints are full and “turbulent” situations are anticipated, he added.

Answering a question about actual measures, the minister said that the government would multiply the number of police and soldiers in the area and make preparations to increase “reaction capacities”. As for the military, some 1,500 troops will participate in the operations, he said.

Pintér said preparations have been made to possibly build new roads so that vehicles could get to certain border sections faster, and plans are ready to floodlight the entire length of the border if necessary. All those measures are aimed at catching illegal entrants at any point along the border, he said, adding that “appropriate” circumstances would be ensured for detainees. If necessary, a camp will be built for the purpose, he said.

The minister said that necessary funds were in place for the operations, adding that the government had made a “tentative” decision to earmark 7.3 billion forints for road works.

Asked whether Hungary is planning to set up a fence along its border with Romania, too, Pintér said that illegal entrants from that country have not been reported, but the authorities are”prepared for that possibility” and have deposited necessary materials to build a fence if needed. He cited his Romanian counterpart as saying that Romania would ensure that no illegal migrants would cross from its territory into Hungary.

Photo: MTI

Szijjártó welcomes Serbian, Slovenian measures to tighten border controls

Budapest, March 9 (MTI) – Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, has welcomed direct action by Slovenia and Serbia to tighten up defence of their borders.

The minister said in a statement late on Tuesday that Slovenia was again tightening up its measures against illegal migrants from midnight, allowing in only migrants with valid passports and visas, or those making asylum requests.

Serbia, in the meantime, has announced that it is introducing similar restrictions as apply on the Macedonian and Bulgarian borders.

Photo: MTI

Migrant crisis brings Hungary, Slovenia closer, says Hungarian House Speaker in Ljubjana

Ljubljana, February 18 (MTI) – Europe’s migrant crisis has brought Hungary and Slovenia closer together, reminding both countries of the need to focus on their shared interests, Hungarian Parliamentary Speaker László Kövér said on Thursday after talks with his Slovenian counterpart in Ljubljana.

slovenia-hungary-2Speaking at a joint press conference with Milan Brglez, Kövér said other European Union member states could look to Hungary and Slovenia’s relationship as an example of how two countries with opposing interests should manage their conflicts in a crisis situation.

Hungary and Slovenia did not enter into the kind of verbal disputes that Hungary was involved in with some of its other neighbours, Kövér said, adding that the two countries instead also set an example for the EU in terms of solidarity, which the bloc needs.

Photo: MTI

Police unit helping Slovenia contain illegal migration returns to Hungary

Budapest, January 31 (MTI) – The second unit of Hungarian police officers helping Slovenia in halting illegal migration has returned to Hungary.

“The government is proud of the officers who have worked to public satisfaction and enhanced the reputation of the Hungarian police in Slovenia,” state secretary for law enforcement Laszlo Tasnadi said at a reception ceremony on Sunday.

The 52-strong unit has worked under Slovenian command to maintain public order, prevent crimes and protect the external border of the Schengen zone since December 28.

Slovenia asked for an international contribution to illegal migration control efforts at the end of last October.

Hungary was among the first nations to respond by offering to put police officers there between November 9 and January 31.

Photo: Balázs Béli

Hungarian-Slovenian government session overheard by journalists

Brdo pri Kranju (MTI) – The Hungarian-Slovenian joint government session, held in Brdo pri Kranju on Friday and supposed to be closed for the media, was overheard by journalists due to a “technical glitch” by the organisers, the Slovenian STA news agency reported.

Journalists outside the session room could listen to the entire session through the mixing board in the press room.

Some Slovenian media outlets have recorded the session and published some excerpts.

The company managing the congress centre, in which the event took place, expressed regret over the incident and apologised all who might have been affected.

Photo: MTI

Orban inaugurates Hungarian cultural institute in Ljubljana

Ljubljana (MTI) – The world would be poorer without Hungarian culture, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the inauguration of the Hungarian cultural institute in Ljubljana on Friday.

He said the reason why it was worth spending on a cultural institute and other “seemingly superfluous things” were such cultural gems as our language, the building of Hungarian parliament or a goal by Puskás scored against England.

“Every generation must be able to answer the question why Hungarians exist in this world,” Orbán said, adding that the organisation of culture cannot be left to the “whims of the market economy”. The prime minister said he encouraged Slovenians to do the same and open a cultural institute in Hungary.

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar said at the opening that as prime minister he would like to see “more culture in politics”. He said that before Lendava was the centre of Hungarian cultural life in Slovenia, but now the Slovene capital, too, would join this role.

Photo: MTI

Slovenian-Hungarian governmental meeting hold in Slovenia – Photos

Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, January 22 (MTI) – A fence should be built on the Macedonian and Bulgarian borders with Greece to stem the influx of migrants, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on the sidelines of a Slovenian-Hungarian governmental meeting in Brdo pri Kranju on Friday.

“If we cannot secure the outer border (of the EU), regardless of how costly or demanding that is, we will destroy the Schengen regime by ourselves,” Reuters quoted Orbán as saying.

Orbán told a press conference after the joint governmental meeting that Hungary firmly supports Slovenia’s initiative for international efforts to create a second protective barrier along the northern borders of Greece. He said Hungary saw it as a “natural and moral obligation” that it should help Slovenia’s efforts to handle the migrant crisis by sending police officers and equipment.

Orbán said the issues addressed at the joint governmental meeting in Brdo included bilateral economic ties, which, at two billion euros, were below their potential. Strategic cooperation was needed which would include creating motorway, railway and energy links, he said. Plans include widening the M70 to a four-lane motorway along its full length by 2018 and connecting their countries’ electricity grids and gas pipeline networks. These issues are important for both states from an energy as well as a security point of view, he said.

“Koper means a sea exit for Hungary” and Hungary has interest in developing its port and the rail link leading to it. A credit line of 370 million euros has been secured for this purpose, Orbán said.

Orbán said he had asked Slovenia to support Hungary’s bid for the 2024 Olympics.

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar told the joint press conference that the EU needed a joint solution within weeks to the migrant crisis to avoid conflict between countries.

“We do not have time until spring to find a solution. We need a solution within weeks … if not, we can expect conflicts between countries,” Reuters quoted Cerar as saying.

Slovenia announced on Thursday that it would reject all migrants except those seeking asylum in Austria or Germany.

As regards relations with Hungary Cerar agreed that tapping opportunities to the fullest was necessary in future. Road, rail, electricity and gas network projects will have priority, but there is unfulfilled potential in agriculture, forestry and tourism, he said. Cerar said the Hungarian and Slovenian minorities living in each other’s country were key to their relations and satisfied with their situation.

On the subject of migration Orban said after the press conference that Slovenia, Germany and Serbia have never made disparaging statements about Hungary, “not even in the worst times” of the crisis. Even when there were disagreements between them, they always gave Hungary the respect that it deserves in international relations. But Croatia and Austria have far overstepped the line, he said.

Several European states want to protect abstract principles and ideologies, but “we want to protect actual people,” Orban said. “We don’t want compromises, we want a solution,” he said.

On the subject of Schengen he said the basic principles contained in its treaty must be observed: guaranteeing the protection of external borders, and all members keeping to their obligations. Bulgaria should be admitted into the Schengen zone because “its contribution was exemplary” in the migration crisis, while other countries should be asked whether they still wanted to stay a part of Schengen. For Hungarians, who suffered through a travel ban (in communist times), Schengen is a “symbol of freedom,” Orbán said.

Photo: MTI

Foreign minister meets Slovenian counterpart in Ljubljana

Budapest, January 22 (MTI) – Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto met Karl Erjavec, his Slovenian counterpart, ahead of a Hungary-Slovenia joint government session, in Ljubljana on Friday.

Szijjarto told MTI by phone that the upcoming session would open a “new dimension” in bilateral cooperation, with agreements on its agenda further strengthening ties between Hungary and Slovenia.

The six accords to be signed at the joint session include agreements to connect the gas pipelines and the electricity grids of the two countries, thereby increasing energy security and contributing to the completion of an integrated central European power network.

Connecting the gas pipelines of the two countries will result in a joint system with a capacity of 1.3 billion cubic metres and linking the electricity grids will contribute to creating an integrated grid for central Europe, he said.

By 2018, the M70 main road will be expanded to have two lanes in each direction, creating a continuous motorway link between Budapest and Ljubljana. The Budapest-Ljubljana railway line will be electrified along the entire route from the first half of this year and six new border crossings will be opened by 2020, including three for vehicles and three for cyclists, Szijjarto said.

Talks are under way on how Hungarian businesses can play a serious role in developing the Koper port and the connecting railway line, especially since Koper has become the most often used port for Hungarian businesses, he added.

“Additionally, on this day, we are opening a Hungarian consulate general in Lendava (Lendva) and a Hungarian cultural institute in Ljubljana”, he said.

In order to further boost economic and trade links between the two countries, the representatives of 138 Hungarian companies will participate in a Hungarian-Slovenian business forum to be held on Friday. For the same purpose, Eximbank has opened a 370 million euro credit line, he added.

Szijjarto said that by the end of October last year, there had been 5 percent twelve-month increase in bilateral trade, reaching 1.7 billion euros.

He added that the issue of the migration crisis was also discussed at the joint government meeting.

“Perhaps everybody has realised by now in Europe that we are defenceless if we do not protect the external borders. However, unfortunately words are followed by action in very few cases. There are very few countries that could indeed protect their external borders. Hungary is one of them. And in addition to having been able to protect ourselves, we are helping others. Here in Slovenia, our police are present in the largest number — a total of fifty — helping their Slovenian colleagues on the border. Additionally, we are present with thirty police in Macedonia and are also helping Greece to protect the common border,” Szijjarto said.

Photo: MTI

Hungarian police unit to help Slovenia contain illegal migration

Budapest, December 28 (MTI) – A second unit of 52 Hungarian police officers left for Slovenia on Monday morning to assist it in halting illegal migration.

Download (6)Slovenia asked for international contribution to illegal migration control efforts at the end of October.

Hungary was among the first nations to respond by offering to station police officers there between November 9 and January 31 next year.

The second unit will work at reception centres, help patrolling the green borders and carry out on-the-spot checks across the country, the national police chief told a press conference on Monday.

They will serve under Slovenian command until January 31, said Karoly Papp.

Photo: MTI

Hungary lifts temporary border inspections on the Hungarian-Slovenian border

Hungary lifts border control on the the Hungarian-Slovenian border, which was implemented in October due to immigration reported the Wednesday’s edition of “Magyar Közlöny”.

slovenia-hungary2The decision comes into effect today.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on October 17 that Hungary temporarily restored border controls on the Hungarian-Slovenian border as there was a serious risk that migrants try to enter the territory of Hungary through Slovenia.

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ISLAMIC STATE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO HUNGARY

The temporary border control was implemented within the framework of the Schengen Convention; then, Szijjártó stressed that inspections will remain in force as long as the situation warrants.

100km long fence on the Slovenian – Croatian border 

translated by hungarianambiance.com

Hungary, Slovenia to build high-voltage power line

Budapest, November 9 (MTI) – Hungary and Slovenia will complete a high-voltage power line linking the electricity networks of the two countries by the end of 2018.

Under a recent amendment to an agreement between the two countries, the new line will connect Heviz, in southwestern Hungary, and Cirkovce in Slovenia, Hungarian power grid company Mavir reported on Monday.

Hungary’s electricity grid is already linked to all other neighbouring countries.

According to Mavir’s statement, the new link will contribute to completion of the European Union’s internal electricity market and to the higher integration of the EU’s regional markets. The new line will significantly increase the security of supplies both in Hungary and in Slovenia while contributing to efforts to further diversify supply power sources, the document added.

Hungary will send 50 police officers to patrol Slovenia’s borders

Budapest, November 9 (MTI) – Europe’s migration crisis can only be resolved through international cooperation, Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said in Budapest on Monday.

Speaking to the 50 police officers whom Hungary will send to patrol Slovenia’s borders, Pinter reiterated Hungary’s stance that illegal migrants need to be stopped on the Schengen Area’s external borders. He said the Hungarian government “is convinced” that Europe’s current answers to the crisis are the wrong ones, “giving false illusions” to those setting off for Europe and creating tension among European Union and Schengen Area member states.

Pinter said Hungary had already experienced the difficulties the migrant crisis causes and was therefore grateful that the other Visegrad Four countries had sent police officers to help protect Hungary’s southern border. It was for this reason that Hungary was among the first countries to offer help to Slovenia, he said.

The minister told the police that by carrying out their border patrol duties, they would be defending not just Slovenia, but Hungary and the European Union as well.

Pinter said Hungary was the only country to offer a solution to the migration crisis that was in line with EU law and Schengen rules. He said that Hungary was successful in handling the situation because its answer to the crisis was lawful, professional and in line with the principle of proportionality. Pinter asked the officers heading for Slovenia to continue to observe this principle during their service there.

On Monday morning, 50 police officers will set off for Maribor and Murska Sobota (Muraszombat), in northeast Slovenia, with ten vehicles to help their Slovenian colleagues uphold public order and prevent crimes and offences.

Photo: MTI

Orban in Slovenia – Hungarian PM warns of mass migration

Lendava, Slovenia (MTI) – History has given us a hard blow again, with masses of people crossing our borders without control and Europe facing the beginning of a mass migration that seems to have no end, the Hungarian prime minister said in Lendava (Lendva), a border town in north-eastern Slovenia, on Friday evening.

Viktor Orban attended a gala event to mark the 40th anniversary of the ethnic Hungarian interest association of the Mura region, together with Miro Cerar, his Slovenian counterpart.

“Hundreds of thousands of people coming from a different civilisation have so far crossed our borders illegally, and many more millions are already on their way towards Europe,” he said.

Orban said that some people in Europe would best dismantle nation states, as well as borders, or any other obstacles that may slow down migration.

“And there are people who would even provide money to support these efforts,” he said.

Orban said that unless the European countries manage to stem the tide of migrants, they may all of a sudden realize that the Europe they had fought for so hard “will cease to exist.”

“Under this scenario, Europe will no longer be based on our principles but on something else, the old continent will cease to be our home. This is a scenario that we do not want and cannot accept,” Orban said.

The prime minister stressed the need to make tough decisions in defence of the nation and the generations to come.

“We should make decisions in favour of our nation and identity, in favour of Europe and our Christian culture,” he said, adding that each and every member of the European Union bears responsibility not only for itself but for Europe as a whole.

Cerar emphasised that Slovenia and Hungary have maintained excellent neighbourly relations, adding that his country has ensured the rights of the Hungarian minority ever since it was established.

Slovenia strives to further boost bilateral relations in transport, science, education and tourism, he said.

Photo: MTI

Orbán commemorates late president Göncz during visit to Lendava

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán commemorated late president Árpád Göncz at Lendava (Lendva), a border town in north-eastern Slovenia, on Friday evening.

Just in the vicinity of Lendava, there is a town called Cakovec (Csáktornya) where Lajos Göncz, a captain during Hungary’s 1848-49 war of independence, lived, Orban said.

“His great grandson, Árpád Göncz, a due follower of that tradition, became the first president of Hungary after its transition to democracy,” he said.

Orbán noted that Göncz was laid to rest in Budapest on Friday afternoon.

“We paid tribute that is due him as the president of all of us, a president of the nation. We thank him for what he has done for the homeland and for us,” the prime minister said.

Orbán is attending a gala event to mark the 40th anniversary of the ethnic Hungarian interest association of the Mura region.

Hungary to send police to Slovenia – Photos from Slovenian-Austrian border

Budapest (MTI) – Around 50 Hungarian police officers will soon leave for Slovenia to take up duties connected with protecting the Slovenia-Croatia border, the government commissioner for domestic security said.

Gyorgy Bakondi told public television M1 on Saturday evening that a related interstate agreement between the countries’ respective heads of police is expected to be signed next week. The contingent of police together with logistics experts will leave for Slovenia shortly after.

The national police headquarters (ORFK) said on its website that the cooperation was based on an agreement between the Hungarian and Slovenian ministers of interior.

The prime minister, Viktor Orban, recently announced in Brussels that Hungary is ready to provide help to countries in the western Balkans that are affected by the migrant crisis.

Photo: MTI