The Hungarian government still does not support Sweden’s accession to NATO

Answering questions, Gulyas said Israel could fully count on the Hungarian state’s support in humanitarian support. He added that Hungary had often prevented the condemnation of Israel at international forums, at times as the only EU member state to veto foreign policy declarations.

Asked about the possible consequences of the conflict in the Middle East Gulyás said that some 2 million people lived in Gaza, half of whom might flee from the region.

In connection with the adoption in parliament earlier in the day of a declaration that condemns the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, Gulyás said it was “telling” about opposition Momentum that its lawmakers stayed away from the vote. Those lawmakers have failed to fulfil their duties, he added.

Responding to a question, Gulyás said attempts aimed at paralysing Hungary’s EU presidency in the second half of 2024 had “recently waned”. The EU will benefit a lot from Hungary’s presidency under the incumbent government, Gulyás said and cited the experience of the previous Hungarian presidency under the same government in the first half of 2011. He said that presidency was beyond doubt successful in so that several issues under debate had been closed.

A package of laws on the protection of Hungary’s sovereignty will be discussed by the board of ruling Fidesz on the week starting on November 5, said Gulyás .

In connection with the recent parliamentary election in Poland, Gulyás said the Hungarian government respected its outcome and congratulated in advance to the parties in the country’s next government.

Next month, the government will make a decision on extending the interest rate stop beyond December 31, Gulyás said. Asked about inflation and wage increases, Gulyás said that after a nine-month negative period a turnaround had taken place in September. He flagged “substantial wage increases in the first months of 2024”, adding that the government would also approve to raise the minimum wages if the organisations of employers reach a relevant agreement with the unions.

Asked about the option of reintroducing coronavirus pandemic related restrictions in response to an increase in cases, Gulyás said no heating restrictions were planned in public buildings in the winter season.

Relations with Russia

Asked about the reason of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent meeting with the Russian president, Gulyás said “Hungary has a clear position on the Russian-Ukrainian war which calls for a ceasefire and peace talks as soon as possible”. Hungary deems Russia’s war in Ukraine unacceptable and sharply condemns it, and sees the territorial integrity of countries of paramount importance, as enshrined in international law, he said. At the same time, Hungary’s energy supplies cannot be ensured without Russia, Gulyás said, noting that the incumbent government had done the most to diversify the country’s energy resources. “We have created energy links with six neighbouring countries, but 90 percent of our gas supply and more than two-thirds of our oil supply still depend on Russia.”

He said there was nothing extraordinary about Viktor Orbán’s meeting the Russian president, as the Austrian chancellor, among others, also met Putin. He said EU leaders and Putin were in regular contact since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Gas issues

Commenting on Bulgaria’s decision to significantly raise the transit fee on gas deliveries, Gulyás said the measure went against EU law and violated Hungary’s right to safe energy supplies. “We call on Bulgaria to withdraw the measure as soon as possible. We are looking to find legal solutions.”