Hungarian govt asks parlt to debate Sweden’s NATO accession next Monday
The group leader of ruling Fidesz has asked parliament to put the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession onto its agenda for next Monday, the first day of the national assembly’s spring season.
Máté Kocsis shared the group’s letter to Speaker of Parliament László Kövér on Facebook on Tuesday, and said his party would “support the vote on the ratification bill”.
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Orbán cabinet: we do not need the lecture from the Republican and Democrat US delegations
The Hungarian government does not need lectures from US congress delegations on what should happen in Hungary, as only Hungarians can decide that, the foreign minister said on Monday.
Responding to question regarding a visit to Hungary by a bipartisan US congress delegation, Péter Szijjártó told a press conference on the sidelines of a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council that the delegation had not been received at ministerial level, similarly to Hungarian delegations in the US.
Earlier talks with similar delegations had resulted in “comprehensive lectures on how we should govern Hungary,” he said.
- read also – US senators: Orbán cabinet endangers Transatlantic security!
Szijjártó said the way Hungary should be governed was decided by Hungarians whose decisions the government implemented.
“We do not need US congressional delegations to lecture us on what should and shouldn’t happen in Hungary.”
The delegation’s press conference had also shown they wanted to discuss EU and internal matters rather than bilateral ones, he said. “None of those [issues] concern them.”
Regarding European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to run for re-election, Szijjártó said the EU’s competitiveness and security had “dramatically” deteriorated on her watch.
“If … she is judged on merit, I think President Von der Leyen will be graded poorly at the end of her term,” he said.
Szijjártó also welcomed Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristensson’s decision to visit Budapest, adding that the meeting could further the Hungarian parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership, “although the final date is still unknown”.
He also praised Hungarian-Swedish defence cooperation, adding that Swedish companies “feel good in Hungary” and noting that the Hungarian Armed Forces fly Gripen aircraft.
As we wrote today: How can Sweden join NATO? Orbán seals a massive arms and military industry deal
PM Kristersson looks forward to discussing Sweden’s NATO membership with Orbán in Budapest
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed on Monday his confidence in Hungary’s commitment to finalising Sweden’s accession to NATO, stating that there is “a strong will” from Hungary’s side.
We have reached another episode in Sweden‘s to NATO membership. Following Turkey’s endorsement of Sweden’s entry into the military alliance, Hungary found itself in an uncomfortable position. The expansion of the world’s most powerful military coalition was blocked by a nation with a modest army, citing previous disparaging insults from Stockholm. Demands were absent, leaving uncertainty regarding Hungary’s desires. However, it appears that Orbán has successfully navigated this peculiar deadlock by brokering a significant military equipment agreement with Sweden. Now, even to his constituents, the former veto may seem justified. One thing is certain: Hungarians harbours no ill will towards the Swedes, nor have they ever.
It appears that the Swedish side have acquiesced to the Hungarian proposal, and the visit of the Swedish Prime Minister to Budapest is now confirmed.
“When it concerns Hungary, I eagerly anticipate my visit to Budapest, and we will certainly inform you once the date is set,”
Kristersson said, responding to a question during a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw.
Kristersson further revealed that he and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have engaged in “several discussions over the past weeks”, expressing his anticipation for their forthcoming meeting.
We previously outlined the potential scope of a grand bargain deal here: How can Sweden join NATO? Orbán seals a massive arms and military industry deal.
Meanwhile, as we reported yesterday, US senators claim that Orbán cabinet endangers Transatlantic security.
How can Sweden join NATO? Orbán seals a massive arms and military industry deal
In his annual assessment speech on Saturday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that discussions with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson regarding Sweden’s NATO accession were nearing resolution. With Hungary playing a pivotal role in these deliberations, the terms and potential outcomes have been unveiled, raising the possibility that Hungary may opt not to veto Sweden’s NATO accession.
According to Index, the most significant defence announcement in years is expected soon, coinciding with the conclusion of the debate surrounding Sweden’s potential NATO membership. Relations between the two prime ministers are thriving, marked by an upcoming visit from the Swedish prime minister to Hungary. Unofficial sources suggest that the Swedish embassy in Hungary is already making preparations for his arrival. Additionally, a recent breakthrough in military and defence cooperation between the two governments holds promise for the acquisition of new equipment for the Hungarian Defence Forces.
Strategic visions
Two years ago, in December 2022, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky publicly disclosed that four new Gripen aircraft were set to arrive by 2024, thereby increasing the total number of Gripen aircraft in Hungary to 18. Furthermore, in an English-language podcast titled “The Bold Truth About Hungary,” the Minister of Defence, alongside the State Secretary for International Communications and Relations, disclosed that the Hungarian Defence Forces had embarked on a new phase of military development, drawing extensively from insights gleaned from the Ukrainian conflict. The defence minister emphasised that the primary objective in developing the Defence Forces is to ensure Hungary’s demonstrable strength, encompassing both physical capabilities and resolve. Their aim is to attain the authorised size of the army, set at 37,500 personnel, with plans to double this number in the foreseeable future. It has been 18 years since the arrival of Gripen jets in Hungary, hailed as the most modern and formidable combat aircraft in the region. The acquisition of the JAS-39 C/D Gripen marked a significant leap in force development for the Hungarian Defence Forces following the regime change, symbolising Hungary’s departure from reliance on Eastern technology.
Possible advancements in Hungarian Defence
The prospective aircraft which may end up in Hungary are manufactured by SAAB, renowned for their production of Gripen fighter-bombers. SAAB is currently manufacturing the latest E and F versions, already commissioned by Sweden. These new aircraft boast increased payload capacity and range compared to their predecessors, enabling the carriage of heavier and longer-range weaponry. Additionally, upgrades have been made to the radar and electronic combat systems. As part of the agreement, the Hungarian Defence Forces may gain access to a variety of other weapon systems, including a portable, shoulder-launched weapon, often referred to as a hand-held artillery which is capable of engaging armoured and other land targets. With an investment of approximately 55 million dollars, Hungarian Defence Forces have secured procurement of this equipment scheduled for delivery between 2019 and 2024. Moreover, the Defence Forces are actively enhancing their electronic reconnaissance and combat capabilities. Collaboration with the Swedish defence industry holds the promise of producing a range of cutting-edge equipment, representing a significant advancement for the Hungarian Defence Forces.
UPDATE
PM Kristersson looks forward to discussing Sweden’s NATO membership with Orbán in Budapest
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US senators: Orbán cabinet endangers Transatlantic security! – UPDATED
A bipartisan delegation of the US Senate is now in Hungary investigating several issues, including Hungary’s NATO policy, the Swedish NATO accession and other controversial topics. They say the Hungarian government endangered Transatlantic security at a key moment considering European peace and stability. They are to submit that resolution to the Congress. What consequences will follow?
We wrote HERE that a bipartisan delegation came to Hungary, because of which Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó became outraged. He highlighted Hungary is a sovereign country and added that there were lies spread in America about Hungary.
“If they’re coming to tell us how we ought to live or what decisions we ought to make, I wouldn’t recommend that because that would be — as they say — an incomplete mission, so it wouldn’t be worth it,” he added.
According to 444.hu, a Democrat and Republican senator are ready to submit a resolution to the Congress condemning the Hungarian government’s Russia-friendly policies. Furthermore, they would like to pressure Orbán to ratify Sweden’s NATO accession.
AP acquired the draft of the resolution which criticizes the Hungarian government for dismantling democratic institutions, influencing media, and restricting civic rights.
Orbán’s close relationship with Russia and China
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat) from New Hampshire and Thom Tillis (Republican) from North Carolina slam Orbán’s decision to use the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the migration to govern with decrees (Orbán has a supermajority in the parliament). There were two more senators in the delegation, Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen, but only the Mrs Shaheen and Mr Tillis are members of the Senate NATO Observer Group.
They will remind them of Orbán’s promise not to be the last member state to accept the Swedish NATO accession. The resolution says that delaying Sweden’s bid endangered Transatlantic security in a key moment of European peace and stability.
Moreover, they slam Orbán’s close relationship with Russia and China and the Orbán cabinet’s measures hindering the EU’s anti-Russia sanctions.
Meanwhile, the Swedish foreign minister expects Hungary to accept Stockholm’s NATO bid.
Orbán said in his State of the Nation speech yesterday that the Hungarian parliament would accept that in February.
US senators disappointed
According to 24.hu, the senators were disappointed because nobody from the government or Fidesz agreed to meet and discuss the aforementioned topics with them. Meanwhile, as Shaheen highlighted, the USA is the second biggest investor in Hungary.
Read also:
- Biden cabinet disappointed: PM Orbán leads Hungary out from NATO by boycotting Sweden? – Read more HERE
- Hungarian wine on top 10 New York Times list – Details in THIS article
US Ambassador to Budapest David Pressman welcomed the senators at Budapest Airport:
UPDATE 2
US senators trust Hungarian lawmakers will ratify Sweden’s NATO accession soon
United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen said a bipartisan delegation of her peers trusted that Hungarian lawmakers would soon ratify Sweden’s NATO accession bid, speaking at a press conference in Budapest on Sunday, but expressed disappointment that nobody from the Hungarian government had met with them.
The delegation, on a mission focused on strategic issues confronting NATO and Hungary, included Senator Shaheen, a Democrat, and Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, who both co-chair the Senate NATO Observer Group, as well as Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat and member of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Shaheen noted at the press conference that Hungary was the last NATO member whose parliament had still not ratified Sweden’s accession to the alliance, adding that Prime Minister Viktor Orban had earlier said it wouldn’t be the last one to do so.
Shaheen said she trusted Orban would honour a pledge made in his state of the nation address on Saturday that Hungarian lawmakers would ratify Sweden’s NATO accession at the start of parliament’s spring session.
The senators stressed that Sweden’s accession to NATO would strengthen the alliance and the security of the United States and Hungary in the current situation.
Shaheen stressed the importance of NATO being the strongest and most unified alliance possible considering the challenges facing Europe in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Senator Tillis said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a threat against democracy, against Hungary and against Europe, which was why NATO needed to be enlarged.
Senator Murphy said there was no reason for the Hungarian parliament to further delay the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession.
Fielding questions, Tillis said the US respected Hungary’s independence and sovereignty, but added that the country needed to support Sweden’s NATO accession, just like the other members of the NATO family.
Asked to comment on remarks by Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, suggesting Russia was not a threat to NATO members, Shaheen said she didn’t agree at all.
The senators had wanted to review with representatives of the Hungarian government bilateral economic ties, the situation of human rights and matters related to the upcoming presidential election in the US.
Shaheen noted that the US was the second-biggest foreign investor in Hungary.
She said a declaration assessing the situation of Sweden’s NATO accession would be submitted with her co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group upon their return to the US.
Featured image: Ambassador Pressman with the senators
Hungary will approve Sweden’s NATO accession very soon – UPDATED
At least that is what PM Viktor Orbán suggested in his yesterday State of the Nation speech in Budapest. It seems that Orbán – following the presidential pardon scandal – will not prolong the dispute with Sweden over its NATO bid and will not wait until the Swedish prime minister visits Budapest.
There is an interesting double-faced communication concerning the Swedish NATO accession. The Hungarian government says they support Stockholm’s bid, but the Fidesz parliamentary group resists. In some democracies, such a situation could be imaginable. In Hungary, that is unrealistic.
As insiders keep saying, Fidesz functions as an army. And nobody says ‘No’ in an army to a command from above.
Therefore, we can say that Orbán decides whether his parliamentary group gives the green light for Sweden. And he denied that from Stockholm for almost two years.
There is no good answer as to why he’s done that. The Hungarian government never expressed any prerequisites towards the Swedish government. They only said that some Swedish politicians do not ‘respect’ the Orbán cabinet and spread lies about it. Experts said Orbán blocks Sweden’s NATO bid because that is how he makes sure Erdogan does not remain alone.
Hungary will accept Sweden’s NATO bid
Previously, the Hungarian government said that Budapest would not be the last one to approve the Swedish NATO bid. But that is exactly what happened in January when Türkiye accepted it in just a few days. The Hungarian opposition called together an extraordinary session to follow the Turkish example, but Fidesz and KDNP lawmakers remained away.
The presidential pardon scandal could have allowed Orbán to settle the issue, and call together another extraordinary session to accept the President’s resignation and accept the Swedish NATO bid. But they missed that option for some reason.
Yesterday, the prime minister talked about Stockholm’s NATO bid in his State of the Nation Speech. Orbán said it was “good news that our dispute with Sweden is nearing a conclusion”. Together with the Swedish prime minister, they made important steps to rebuild trust, he said, adding that the Hungarian parliament could ratify Sweden’s NATO accession at the start of its spring session.
That means Hungary will accept Sweden’s NATO bid in end-February. However, it does not explain why Budapest blocked it for almost two years. It suggests that Orbán accepted the Swedish prime minister’s refusal to come to Hungary before the voting to discuss the issues as he did in the case of Ankara.
Evaluating the issue from the outside, it seems blocking the Swedish NATO bid became a diplomatic failure for Orbán.
UPDATE
According to index.hu, the Swedish and the Hungarian governments will conclude a large arms and military industry deal following the Hungarian parliament’s green light for Sweden’s NATO accession. The media outlet could not acquire verified information about the agreement, but they wrote military equipment would arrive in Hungary. It may happen that they will modify Hungary’s Gripen deal. Furthermore, the Swedish embassy in Budapest is preparing for the visit of the Swedish prime minister.
Read also:
- Hungary will accept Sweden’s NATO bid next week? – Read more HERE
- If Sweden wants to join the NATO, their prime minister will have to travel to Budapest – Details in THIS article
Featured image: Illustration
Hungarian protesters’ banner in Stockholm: Hungary ≠ Orbán – PHOTOS
Zoltán Keresztény, known for his protest actions across Hungary since the summer of 2023, travelled to Stockholm on Wednesday to demonstrate. Taking up a banner in front of the Swedish Parliament, he wanted to let people know that Orbán is not equal to Hungary.
“It is important for Swedes to know that we are not equal to a pseudo-nationalist, pseudo-Christian government that serves Putin’s interests and is now involved in a paedophile affair,” Zoltán Keresztény said, according to 444.hu.
As part of their demonstration in support of Swedish NATO membership, Keresztény and his partner unfurled a banner in front of the Swedish parliament building with the words HUNGARY ≠ ORBÁN next to the Hungarian and EU flags and the logo of Keresztény’s Orbán-cabinet-critical NGO, Újratervezés.
“We are in front of the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm, where we have taken a banner saying:
Comrade Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is not equal to Hungary. It is important that the Swedes also know that we are not equal to the pseudo-nationalist, pseudo-Christian government, which serves Putin’s interests and is now involved in a paedophile affair, and which is constantly preventing Sweden from joining NATO, and thus also preventing us Hungarians from being safer.
Keresztény wrote in a Facebook post.
“TT, Sweden’s largest news agency, was also out here. It was very well received. The Swedish people are grateful,”
Kersztény told 444.hu about the operation.
Read also:
Hungary will accept Sweden’s NATO bid next week?
That is the only way PM Orbán and his Fidesz-KDNP coalition could accept Katalin Novák’s resignation, nominate another presidential candidate, and end the scandal that broke the career of the two leading female politicians of Orbán’s party. In such a session, the parliament could accept even Sweden’s NATO bid.
President Katalin Novák resigned yesterday, but the parliament has to accept her decision to leave the office. However, the national assembly’s regular session will only start in end-February. Thus, it may happen that Fidesz will convene an extraordinary session to end the scandal. We wrote about Novák’s presidential pardon and the public outcry it caused in THIS article.
Telex.hu asked Fidesz’s parliamentary group whether they plan to do so but received no answers.
An extraordinary session could end both scandals?
Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, said yesterday that the Hungarian parliament could vote for Sweden’s NATO accession in end-February. He complained that the Swedish prime minister did not visit Hungary like he visited Türkiye before. Hvg.hu believes that is because the Turkish president had clear demands while PM Orbán has nothing like that.
Hungarian politicians keep repeating that some of their MPs were offended by the statements of Swedish politicians claiming there was a dictatorship in Hungary.
If the government wants to close both issues quickly, they may convene a session for next week. But Fidesz’s parliamentary group leader, Máté Kocsis, did not mention such a scenario in his interview yesterday, concerning the resignation of the president.
Kocsis: President Novák, former Justice Minister Varga made ‘responsible decision’
Katalin Novák and Judit Varga “have made a responsible decision, which we respect”, Mate Kocsis, the group leader of ruling Fidesz, said on his Facebook page on Saturday, referring to their resignation announcements as president of the republic and MP, respectively.
Kocsis said he was grateful to both of them for their work, and thanked them for keeping the interests of the community in mind in the course of their work.
“Their resignation is evidence that, when it comes to the right wing, mistakes have consequences, while on the left even crimes do not,” Kocsis said, adding that the left wing, “still led by Ferenc Gyurcsany”, had “hypocritically attacked” Novak and Varga. He accused Gyurcsany of having led a “cavalry charge against his countrymen in 2006” and living in a villa “stolen from a Jewish family”.
“No one on the left has apologised to voters for calling them rats, for threatening to hang them from lamp posts, for insulting them; as likewise there are no consequences for the corruption in Budapest … and antifa bloodshed…” he said.
Novak and Varga’s decision, Kocsis said, testified to this moral difference.
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Hungarian President calls for closer ties with Armenia
President Katalin Novák, receiving Armenian counterpart Vahagn Khachaturyan in Budapest on Tuesday, said ties between the country should be strengthened and “filled with content”.
During his first official visit to Hungary, the Armenian president and Novák discussed “issues around peace in the world, Hungary’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Armenia, demographic challenges, bilateral ties, minorities, as well as a European outlook for Armenia,” Novák said.
Diplomatic ties with Armenia were re-established in 2022, and Khachaturyan is the second Armenian president to visit Hungary, Novák noted. At their talks, the two presidents also agreed to launch a cultural cooperation schedule for Hungary and Armenia.
The agreement signed on behalf of Hungary by Balázs Hankó, the deputy state secretary for higher education, caters to strengthening bilateral relations in higher education, science, technology and culture.
Regarding the Hungary Helps programme, in which Hungary has donated 40 million forints to Armenian families for medical care, another aspect of the scheme will enable around 1,000 children forced to leave their homes to camp in Hungary.
The president said the Armenian minority in Hungary, which was awarded government support of 2 billion forints between 2011 and 2023, was strengthening and developing, and the community has expanded by 18 percent since 2011.
Trade turnover grew eleven-fold to 29 million dollars over the span of 20 years. Hungary also offers 30 Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships to Armenian youth, she noted, adding that Hungary Helps also aids members of persecuted Christian communities.
Novák pledged its support for Armenia in forging close ties with Europe and advancing visa liberalisation when it takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Meanwhile, asked about Sweden’s NATO accession, Novák said she favoured early ratification and she had asked the Hungarian MPs to vote for it. She said she had spoken yesterday with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson by phone and encouraged him to visit Hungary as soon as possible for talks with herself and the prime minister.
Regarding the political opposition furore over a presidential pardon given to an official connected with a paedophile, the president said that pedophilia was “disgusting and the most serious crime”. There would be no pardon for paedophiles during her presidency, she said, adding that she had led action against child abusers with the introduction of a register of sex offenders. The justification for the presidential pardon could not be made public for legal reasons, she said.
Khachaturyan welcomed “a new era in Armenian-Hungarian relations” when the two countries “have an opportunity to restart ties, which may offer huge opportunities.”
Meanwhile, he said both Russia and Ukraine have large Armenian communities and “they are now fighting each other, which is unacceptable.” The Armenian president thanked Novák for Hungary’s support for ethnic Armenians.
Read also:
If Sweden wants to join the NATO, their prime minister will have to travel to Budapest – UPDATED
Hungary’s parliament could ratify Sweden’s NATO accession “early in the regular spring session”, but a meeting between the Hungarian and Swedish prime ministers in Budapest is necessary for that to happen, the group leader of ruling Fidesz said on Monday.
“If joining [NATO] is important for the Swedes, they will come here, just like they went to Türkiye,” Máté Kocsis said in a Facebook post.
Read also:
- Russians outraged: ‘PM Orbán betrayed us!’
- Fidesz: Sweden has lost our trust, we have not engaged in blackmail
Hungarian foreign minister discusses Sweden’s NATO accession with Estonian counterpart
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó discussed Sweden’s NATO accession with his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna on Monday, reassuring him that the Hungarian government maintained its “positive approach” to the matter.
Speaking during a break in a cabinet meeting in Sopronbanfalva, in north-western Hungary, Szijjártó said he had spoken with Tsahkna by phone to discuss several key issues concerning both countries. He said he had reassured his counterpart that the Hungarian government’s positive approach to Sweden’s NATO bid was unchanged, and that the bill approving Sweden’s membership had long ago been submitted to parliament.
“I informed the minister that we have invited Sweden’s prime minister to Hungary, and I hope he will accept the invitation and come, because that will prove that this is indeed an important matter for Sweden,” Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.
Szijjártó said he and Tsahkna had also discussed the sanctions imposed on Russia, underlining that Hungary’s position was clear on this matter as well. “We believe the sanctions policy has failed, so we don’t see a reason to approve more sanctions packages,” he said.
He noted that the European Union plans to approve more sanctions against Russia on the occasion of the coming second anniversary of the outbreak of the war.
“I think it’s completely pointless to make this aspect of the EU’s functioning even more frivolous with the show of a sanctions package,” he said.
Szijjártó noted that the Hungarian government had made it clear at meetings in Brussels this past weekend that Hungary would not approve any kind of sanctions affecting the energy sector or the nuclear industry, or any that endangered the EU’s foreign relations.
Meanwhile, the minister said he and Tsahkna were in agreement that though there were issues on which their two countries disagreed, this was natural, and there were far more things that bound them together, and they had “far more shared strategic interests than we would think”.
He said they had agreed to boost bilateral ties, and that he had invited Tsahkna to Budapest. Tsahkna, he added, had “gladly accepted the invitation, and he will hopefully pay us a visit before the start of our EU presidency.”
Hungarian parliament will vote for Sweden’s NATO accession today? – UPDATED
On the initiative of opposition parties, Speaker of Parliament László Kövér has convened and extraordinary session of parliament for Monday.
At the session proposed by the Socialists and backed by the Democratic Coalition (DK), Momentum, Jobbik, Párbeszéd and LMP, lawmakers will discuss two opposition proposals and vote on Sweden’s NATO accession. Parliament discussed the latter matter last March, with only the parliamentary vote needed for the ratification of Sweden’s bid.
Read also:
- PM Orbán got into serious trouble in the NATO: what will follow? – Read more HERE
- If Sweden wants to join the NATO, their prime minister will have to travel to Budapest – Details in THIS article
UPDATED: Special parliament session called by opposition on Sweden’s NATO membership lacks quorum
In the absence of the governing parties, the special session of parliament initiated by the opposition, which was to have included a vote on Sweden’s NATO accession, lacked a quorum.
At Monday’s session proposed by the Socialists and backed by the Democratic Coalition (DK), Momentum, Jobbik, Párbeszéd and LMP, lawmakers were set to discuss two opposition proposals as well as Sweden’s NATO accession.
Parliament debated the latter last March, but the ratification vote was not held.
Addressing the session, LMP lawmaker Mate Kanász-Nagy called it “sad” that none of the members of government were in attendance, adding it was “embarrassing” that the governing parties kept on blocking Sweden’s NATO accession without giving a reasonable explanation.
Bence Tordai, the group-leader of Párbeszéd, cited Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s pledge that parliament would ratify Sweden’s accession “on the first possible” occasion. He said the government had not been guided “by Hungary’s national interest, but by something else”, adding that “we should not forget who it is in both the EU and NATO who represents the interests of an aggressor [who started] a war”.
Előd Novák, deputy head of Mi Hazank, called for Sweden’s accession to be vetoed, arguing that its accession “would be another step towards a [third] world war and a provocation”.
“Maintaining a neutral buffer zone between Russia and NATO would serve to preserve the fragile balance,” he added.
Koloman Brenner, group leader of Jobbik-Conservatives, said the “sad game” played by the government against Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession went against Hungary’s national interest.
“Viktor Orbán and Fidesz is becoming Putin’s puppet in the eyes of our NATO allies and the European public,” he said, calling the absence of Fidesz lawmakers at the session “shameful and a disgrace”.
Fidesz: Sweden has lost our trust, we have not engaged in blackmail
Gulyás said the government supported Sweden’s NATO accession and had submitted the issue to parliament. At the same time, he said it was important that “the vote takes place when the necessary majority is at hand, and that requires strengthening trust.”
Sweden and Hungary
“Since trust was lost due to the Swedes, this is their job,” Gulyás said. “Hungary has not engaged in blackmail or set conditions,” he added. The Swedish prime minister has been invited to Hungary, he noted.
He said the decision was now in the hands of the ruling parties’ parliamentary groups, noting that they command a two-thirds majority in parliament.
If the government made a mistake, it was making a promise on ratification that it could not fulfil on its own authority, he said. Sweden’s accession would strengthen NATO but not to a significant degree, he said.
Regarding teachers’ wage hikes, Gulyás said teachers working in disadvantaged regions or with children in difficult circumstances were eligible for additional income and the majority of teachers were happy with the increase.
Responding to a question on the National Consultation public survey, Gulyás said the survey was a means to boost the government’s position in the EU, where it was in opposition “on countless issues”. He said a large majority of Hungarian citizens had responded, thereby underpinning the government’s negotiating position.
Asked about a town hall meeting in Sóskút, near Budapest, regarding a planned metal recycling plant using cutting-edge technology which would create 160 jobs, Gulyás said it was “unacceptable” that the mayor and the head of the company looking to build the plant nearby had had to be rescued from the room. Issues such as worries over excessive water demand, a usual objection in the case of battery plants, “does not arise in this case”, he said. The town hall meeting would have been a way for residents to be fully consulted on the project, he added.
Read also:
- PM Orbán got into serious trouble in the NATO: what will follow?
- FM Szijjártó shared when the Hungarian parliament might vote about Sweden’s NATO accession
Budapest
Meanwhile, Gulyás said Fidesz’s candidate for Budapest mayor in the local elections this year would be named by March. Fidesz will field its own candidate, but not necessarily a party member, he said.
On another topic, Gulyás said the government hoped the revamped Belgrade-Budapest railway line would be up and running in this government cycle.
Also, the government “is hoping to announce” the purchase of Liszt Ferenc International Airport “within weeks”, Gulyás said.
Regarding a possible tightening of Hungary’s child protection law, Gulyás said that enforcing current legislation “would put Hungary in a very good position in European comparison”. At the same time, he said all amendment proposals would be considered.
In response to a question concerning whether local governments could keep operating such services if they finance them, he said health services were not a state monopoly and if any local government wanted to set up a doctor’s surgery, it was free to do so, and it would not be part of the state service.
Commenting on temporary suspension of certain hospital services, he said there were 38 such instances in the whole of Hungary in January, of which 8 only applied for a few hours and 5 for one day. Only three services had been suspended for more than 2 months, he added.
About Péter Szijjártó
Commenting on Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó’s talks in Qatar, he said that until the final agreement was signed on LNG imports to Hungary he was unable to provide information on the possible routes or volumes. Hungary, he added, was ready to receive LNG but this is more expensive than piped gas.
He said the government was dedicated to diversification, but as long as several routes were available, Hungary must purchase the cheapest gas.
Gulyás welcomed Szijjártó’s recent talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, noting that the foreign minister had focused on demanding the restoration of the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia.
Commenting on the participation of Gáspár Orbán, the son of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in a military mission in Chad, he said it was the role of the defence minister to appoint people for certain tasks. In response to a question, he said the fact that a soldier who spoke a foreign language was a member of a negotiating delegation was unproblematic.
Far-right activists
Commenting on preparations for the day, February 11, when far-right activists mark the failed attempt by Nazi and allied Hungarian soldiers to break out of Budapest in 1945, he said the responsible authorities were working on it. At the same time, he added that the requirement to guarantee the freedom of movement made it difficult to prevent “far-right imports” from western Europe.
Regulations have already been amended to better restrict extremist gatherings, he said, adding that Budapest was “an island of peace in Europe” and the government was making every effort for this to remain the case. He said Hungary was cooperating with European Union allies concerning action taken against extremists.
Economy
In response to a question concerning potential plans to introduce caps on the price of fuel, he said the last time this had been done, the price of petrol would have been around 900 forints (EUR 2.4) per litre without the caps, which he said was currently far from being the case.
Commenting on a proposal by the Integrity Authority to amend the system of asset declarations, he said the proposal was worth considering. At the same time, he said Hungary’s asset declaration system was one of the most comprehensive in Europe.
In response to a question on solar panel tenders, he said no EU funding had been received so far except one advance payment. The left wing in Hungary, he said, was working to hinder EU payments for this project, adding that certain tenders had slowed down in order to see “if the monies can be acquired despite the efforts of the left wing”, he said.
Commenting on a question concerning the grandfather of pro-government publicist Zsolt Bayer, he said it was a reasonable expectation from anyone that if their parents or grandparents had committed crimes, they should make this clear. At the same time, “we must not punish the sons for the crimes of the fathers”, he added.
He also said that the grandfather of Klára Dobrev, the potential prime ministerial candidate of the Left, had been a “communist mass murderer”. Whereas Bayer has written a sincere article facing up to his grandfather’s actions, “no such thing could be seen from Dobrev”, he added.
In response to a question about “secret agent files”, he said there were no secret agent files, only state security documents, and “the government has done more than anyone else to make them public”. Some of these documents were stolen, he said, and others were counterfeit. Whereas some of the people called secret agents indeed deserved contempt, he said, others had been actually forced by blackmail to submit reports, and they would still not report anything, he added.
FM Szijjártó shared when the Hungarian parliament might vote about Sweden’s NATO accession
Economic cooperation between Hungary and Bahrain is on the cusp of a new chapter, with Hungarian exports and investments there growing apace, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Tuesday.
Closer ties with the Gulf region could give fresh impetus to the European Union, he said after a meeting of the Hungary-Bahrain Joint Economic Committee, adding that the government supports agreements with the region on free trade and visa exemptions.
Hungary has already has a partial visa exemption agreement with Bahrain, and talks on investment protection are also under way, Szijjártó told press conference.
The European Commission has approved the text of the investment protection agreement, which can be signed soon, the ministry quoted him as saying.
The minister referred to two important chemical industry projects headed by Hungarian oil and gas company MOL, which “have reached the finishing line in Bahrain”. The projects are about raising the efficiency of local natural gas extraction, while rubber bitumen produced by MOL will also be used during construction and infrastructure development.
Also, companies in Bahrain are increasingly making use of Hungarian IT solutions, particularly when it comes to online payment platforms, he added.
Meanwhile, he said Bahrain always promoted the cause of peace and could be counted on in the global fight against terrorism.
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Szijjártó hailed Bahrain’s signing of the Abraham Accords on normalising ties between Israel and several Arab states, adding that hopefully it would be possible to return to a path of peaceful coexistence.
In response to a question, Szijjarto said holding a Hungarian-Ukrainian summit would only make sense if it could open a new chapter in bilateral relations, adding that the two sides had “a lot of work to do” before then.
“There’s a long way to go before a high-level meeting can take place, but we’re prepared to do this work together,” Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.
“We took some important steps yesterday,” he said. “In the coming days and weeks, the intergovernmental working group on education will have to carry out the work that’ll allow the Transcarpathian Hungarian community to regain the rights they enjoyed in 2015.”
“We’re working on making sure that infrastructure developments linking the two countries are successful and that transport developments in the border regions can go ahead,” the minister said. “If these are fully completed, it can lead to a new chapter and a new era … and once this is done, it will make sense to talk about when and where to hold a high-level meeting.”
Concerning this week’s special EU summit, Szijjártó said Hungary still believed the war could not be settled on the battlefield, and a ceasefire and peace talks were needed instead of weapons deliveries.
“And that’s exactly why we don’t think spending billions of euros more on allowing the war to continue is a good proposal,” he said. “But we understand that most EU member states are in a state of war psychosis, so one compromise could be deciding on the financial aid to Ukraine on a yearly basis with the requirement of unanimity.”
As regards the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession, the minister said there was no sense in convening a special session of parliament for a vote, because parliament will reconvene for its spring session at the end of February, and lawmakers will be able to schedule a vote on the matter then.
House Speaker Kövér: We are nobody’s dogsbodies
Hungary’s government made it clear from the start that it supports NATO’s enlargement, regardless of the opinions of the ruling party MPs, but at the same time, “we are nobody’s dogsbodies,” Speaker of Parliament László Kövér said in an interview with news portal Index on Thursday on Sweden’s NATO accession.
Asked if he found the situation awkward, as it seems Hungary will be the last to ratify Sweden’s NATO accession, Kövér said: “Why should this be awkward for us? If the Swedes don’t find it so, I don’t feel bad for a moment. On the other hand, someone has to be last.”
Asked whether this was a failure for Hungarian diplomacy, Kövér said Hungary had made its problems concerning Sweden’s bid “quite clear” before.
“Hungary takes it seriously that NATO — in contrast with the one-time Warsaw Pact — is a defence alliance of equal and sovereign states, and it is in our interest to be a member of this alliance,” the speaker said. “To make it clear to everyone: member states here make a voluntary commitment whereby, if any other ally is attacked, it will automatically be considered an attack directed against them and they will provide military assistance to the attacked party. Does everyone understand how great a responsibility this is? We will collectively enter a military conflict if someone is attacked.”
“But now the Swedes — and let me note that the Finns as well — have gone to a point in defaming Hungary and its democratically elected government and restricting its room for manoeuvre, which cannot be dismissed,” he said. After Hungary’s parliament ratified Finland’s accession to NATO, Finland immediately joined a European Court procedure against Hungary, the speaker added.
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Kövér said the situation was handled by Hungarian diplomacy in “the most correct manner”, arguing that it had supported the enlargement, submitted the relevant motions to parliament and showed openness to help deal with the situation that caused uncertainty among some of the MPs. However, in a democracy, the final word is not given by the government, but by parliament, he added.
“Despite the fact that the entire process of NATO enlargement is lacking in the seriousness of thought and democratic thoroughness appropriate to the weight of the matter, the parliamentary majority behind the government supports it in principle,” Kövér said. “I initiated a parliamentary delegation to visit both countries, to make them see that there is a small problem. The response given at the time was not satisfactory, to put it mildly. And now it seems the Swedes do not even appreciate the final gesture.”
Asked what the Swedes should do, Kövér said it would be a good idea “to take each other seriously”. “Or do you think we should beg them to clarify the problems? If I may use a slang term, we are nobody’s dogsbodies. I think there is a serious misunderstanding in the Swedes’ minds,” he said.
As for cooperation with Turkiye, Kövér said he had made it clear in several interviews that Hungary had no agreement with Turkiye on who should ratify the enlargement and when, adding: “we can decide on our own when such a step should be taken.”
“We are not influenced by how Turkiye otherwise manages its own problems,” he said. “Let me note, though, that Swedish diplomacy made big efforts very quickly in order to settle its disputes with Turkiye. Sweden’s prime minister also visited Turkiye. I regret that the Swedish politicians did not even try to take advantage of the time created by the delay in the Turkish ratification to talk to us as well.”
Kövér said the government did not expect Sweden to “do penance”, but that they should not give the impression of ignoring Hungary. “I don’t believe this would be too great a demand. For us, Hungarian interests come first — perhaps this is only natural,” he added.
Asked whether parliament would convene for a special session to discuss Sweden’s accession, Kövér said he had no doubt that one of the opposition parties “which typically do not serve Hungarian interests” would initiate such a session, “probably in vain”. “Anyway, I don’t feel that anything is pressing us, in fact, I don’t think there is an extraordinary situation,” he added.
Asked whether it was possible to know which Fidesz MPs did not support Sweden’s NATO accession, Kövér said: “You are talking to one of them now. But let me clarify: I would also be happy if our hopeful allies gave me the chance as soon as possible to change my position in good conscience”.
On the motivation behind his position, Kövér said “we have simply had enough of our country being treated as a cheap game for bored politicians who couldn’t think of anything better to do or want to draw attention away from something, and wipe their muddy shoes in Hungary. Let me be clear: this whole circus would have been over a long time ago if Mr. Stoltenberg had put half as much effort into convincing Swedish politicians as he put into sending us messages,” Kövér said.
PM Orbán invites Swedish PM to Budapest, Kristersson accepts and also proposes Brussels meeting
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has accepted Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s invitation to meet in Budapest to discuss Sweden’s NATO accession and other bilateral matters, and discussion, he added, may also take place in Brussels next week.
In a letter, Kristersson said he agreed with Orbán that “more intensive dialogue” between their two countries would be beneficial.
Turkiye’s parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO accession on Tuesday. Hungary’s national assembly has yet to vote on the matter.
Orbán invited Kristersson to Budapest on Tuesday to discuss his country’s NATO accession and other bilateral issues.
The full letter of Kristersson to Orbán, written in English, can be found HERE.
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PM Orbán got into serious trouble in the NATO: what will follow?
Turkey’s parliament has voted in favour of Sweden’s NATO membership, leaving Hungary as the sole member yet to accept Stockholm’s bid. Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán extended an invitation to his Swedish counterpart for a discussion on shared concerns, only to receive an unexpected response. Previously, Hungary had committed not to be the final country to ratify Sweden’s NATO bid.
Hungary’s support towards Türkiye
In a recent Facebook post, Hungarian defence policy expert András Rácz highlighted that Orbán’s invitation appeared to contradict Hungary’s official stance on Sweden’s NATO accession. This official position had been rooted in concerns about Sweden’s perceived lack of respect for Hungary and its values.
To Orbán’s surprise, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström responded, stating that there was no necessity for a meeting between the two leaders. This unforeseen reply places Hungary in a more challenging position.
“Until now, the semi-official Hungarian explanation has been that by delaying the ratification, Hungary was assisting Türkiye, ensuring that Ankara was not left isolated by its delay,” said Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Parliament. Németh voiced this even publicly, which has been the dominant explanation in closed-door meetings too. Nevertheless, the exact benefits Budapest gained from supporting Ankara were never disclosed. Notably, Hungary’s typically transactionalist foreign policy apparatus remained silent on the matter, remarked András Rácz.
András Rácz, in another post, suggested that the delay in Sweden’s NATO accession only serves Russia’s interests, providing Moscow with additional time to prepare for the Baltic Sea potentially becoming a ‘NATO lake.’
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The NATO counts on Hungary’s green light ASAP
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s general secretary, expressed optimism yesterday, stating that he “also counts on Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible.”
Despite earlier assurances from Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó not to be the last NATO member accepting Sweden’s NATO membership, it appears the Hungarian government may struggle to keep that promise. The Hungarian parliament has not initiated its spring session, and while Orbán’s governing parties hold a supermajority, convening a session at any time would be conspicuous.
Furthermore, this move could signify that Erdogan did not inform Orbán about the impending decision of the Ankara parliament. It would suggest that Hungary was left behind, despite Budapest’s efforts to assist Türkiye in its negotiations with Sweden, potentially casting a shadow over the otherwise positive Hungary-Türkiye relationship.
The Turkish parliament’s decision now waits for the president’s signature. But that is expected “to happen fairly soon”, András Rácz wrote.
The Turkish parliament’s decision now awaits the president’s signature, which is expected “to happen fairly soon,” according to András Rácz. In this scenario, Hungary may find it challenging to explain, even behind closed doors, why they did not accept Sweden’s NATO bid despite having no precise complaints, except for the perceived lack of respect, nor demands towards Stockholm.
Former PM Gyurcsány’s DK calls on Orbán ‘to get parlament’ to ratify Sweden’s NATO accession
The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) has called on Prime Minister Viktor Orban “to get the Hungarian parliament” to ratify Sweden’s NATO accession.
Party spokeswoman Olga Kálmán told a press conference on Wednesday that it was clear ever since the issue emerged that Sweden’s accession is as much in the interest of NATO as of Hungary. “The biggest hurdle, Turkiye’s veto, has been lifted with the Turkish parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s membership,” she said.
Kálmán said that Orban “has been left on his own on this issue as well” and “is a loner in standing in the way of Sweden’s accession”. “It is clear that the Hungarian prime minister, who is under Putin’s influence, is not considered a sovereign player in the European political arena. Even the Swedish government said their members do not want to meet Viktor Orban as they have nothing to discuss,” Kálmán said.
Hungarian minister shared when Hungary would ratify Sweden’s NATO bid
The date of ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership depends on how quickly and effectively confidence can be built between Hungary and Sweden, János Boka, the minister for EU affairs, told Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat.
“Political dialogue between Hungary and Sweden is key” to the ratification, Boka told the paper, adding that this would reassure Hungarian lawmakers “who have doubts and concerns”.
In his first foreign interview of the year, Boka also talked about the war in Ukraine. He said on his Facebook page on Saturday that it was very difficult to plan for the next three or four years due to the uncertain situation in Ukraine. Hungary’s position was that it would be more reassuring to reckon with shorter financial cycles, he said.
“It would also be better if Ukraine could be supported from outside the EU multiannual financial framework. Hungary also wants see how the financial support given to Ukraine has been used so far and with what results,” Boka said.
Boka reiterated that the Hungary’s government’s top priority regarding Ukraine was to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible. “Only this would make it possible to find a lasting solution to the conflict through negotiations,” the minister said.
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King Karl Gustaf XVI presented Nobel Prizes for Hungarian scientists – UPDATED
Hungary’s biochemist Katalin Karikó and physicist Ferenc Krausz were presented the Nobel Prize by Swedish King Karl Gustaf XVI, at a ceremony in Stockholm on Sunday afternoon.
Karikó and her research partner Drew Weissman have won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Nobel Assembly acknowledged the researchers “for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”.
Krausz has won together with his French colleagues Pierre Agostini and Anne L’Huillier the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics. The three physicists were recognised “for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”.
On behalf of the Nobel Foundation, Astrid Soderbergh Widding, the head of the foundation’s board, said Alfred Nobel’s message to highlight that achievements to advance literature, science, and the cause of peace would advance the whole world. Respect for knowledge and cooperation at the international level is key, she added. At a time when science, culture, and civil society face challenges, focusing on Nobel’s vision is extremely important, she said.
“Fate does not determine the world’s development; we also have strength and power to influence our own fate and give the world momentum,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by 1,560 guests including family members of the awardees, earlier Nobel laureates, members of the Swedish royal family, as well as government members and MPs of Sweden, and diplomats.
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