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.”

Asked about gas prices in Hungary, Gulyás said they would not change until December 31, adding that the government would deal with the issue of reviewing them before that date.

NATO and Sweden

Regarding the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership, Gulyás said Sweden would need to give an answer to the following: “If we are wrong in saying that Sweden has levelled hurtful accusations at us for years, why did we have to listen to them? But if they think those accusations are true, why would they want to be then in a club with us?”

The situation around the issue has recently deteriorated, Gulyás said. “We want a good relationship with Sweden. If we can achieve that, there will be no obstacles to the accession.”

Regarding his talks with the Chinese head of state, Gulyás said they had concluded “countless” agreements with Chinese banks and companies. “China is of critical importance for Hungary and Europe. Hopefully, some European countries will come to the same realisation, and act upon it. Severing ties with China would be a serious blow to the European economy,” he said.

Budapest

Commenting on a HUF 50 billion loan taken out by the Budapest municipality, Gulyás said the move was “forced and mistaken”. Budapest’s tax revenues had grown substantially in the past years, he insisted. “The incumbent leadership started with a HUF 200 billion budget surplus and has managed to bankrupt the city by now. I hope they will continue to fulfil their obligations and [public transport company] BKV will continue to operate,” he said.

He slammed Mayor Gergely Karácsony’s decision to pay some 300 million forints in bonuses to the heads of municipality-owned companies as “a peculiar practice”.

Regarding the possibility of EU membership of Ukraine and Moldova, Gulyás said the EU had no such thing as “an observer status”, and those countries would have to fulfil “clear criteria” of integration. The accession of new states also requires a unanimous vote, and “Hungary is the guarantee that better-prepared states won’t be shunned while others are allowed in,” he said.

In response to question on Hungary’s stance on Romania’s Schengen integration after disagreements on events in a Hungarian military cemetery in Valea Uzului (Uzvölgye) in central Romania, Gulyás said the conflict did not show “neighbourly relations”. At the same time, it had to be taken into account that more than one million Hungarians were currently living outside the Schengen area in Romania, he added.

Regarding Ukraine, Gulyás reiterated the government’s stance that unless the country restored the rights of the Hungarians living there, “we won’t support its integration into any international community.”

On the deployment of Hungarian troops in Chad, Gulyás said Hungary had been called upon to participate in the mission. From spring 2024, a maximum of 200 Hungarian troops will be deployed to serve there, he said.

“We aim to contribute to curbing migration, support the fight against terrorism, and ensure the background for the support brought in by the Hungary Helps programme,” Gulyás said.

Source: MTI