Blog Is Brussels failing the COVID vaccine challenge? Jan 14, 2021 - Zoltán Kovács While the United States has already vaccinated more than 10 million citizens, and the UK is now well beyond 3 million, some critics say that EU member states are lagging behind in terms of administering the lifesaving jab. So, what’s really happening? Has the EU reserved enough vaccines? Did they arrive late to the party? Why does the supply seem so unreliable? These are just a few of the tough questions for Brussels.
News in Brief Hungary will only agree to EU's coronavirus rescue fund if Brussels ends Article 7 proceedings Jul 17, 2020 “Article 7 proceedings against Hungary must be terminated,” Katalin Novák said, adding that Hungary’s parliament had endorsed this demand.
News in Brief Justice Minister: Parliament has set clear terms for EU budget talks Jul 17, 2020 Conditions approved by Hungary’s parliament regarding the EU’s coronavirus rescue package lay out a clear set of principles to be applied by the government at the upcoming EU summit focusing on the bloc’s next budget.
Blog Prime Minister PM Orbán in Brussels: We want a fair budget Feb 03, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács Prime Minister Orbán spent the day in Brussels discussing the EU’s next, seven-year budget with senior EU officials, including European Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán travels to Brussels then Rome to discuss challenges facing Europe Feb 03, 2020 The prime minister will first meet European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. He will then head to Rome to meet Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
News in Brief PM Orbán: Mistakes in Brussels need to be remedied Jul 12, 2019 “Westerners and central Europe agreed on German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen,” PM Orbán said. The V4 had ranked her third on its list, and there would now be a chance that the commission presidency would make Europe strong while respecting national interests, he added.
News in Brief V4 hold meeting with President Macron in Brussels Jul 01, 2019 PM Orbán was joined by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieczki.
News in Brief PM Orbán arrives in Brussels for European Council meetings May 29, 2019 The PM said this is the most important consultation regarding the future of the EU, and the primary question for now is whether or not Fidesz will remain in the EPP.
News in Brief PM Orbán: European elections are about Hungary May 21, 2019 The Prime Minister said the EP elections are about Hungary and sending the Hungarian people’s message to Brussels
News in Brief FM: Migration still poses a serious risk to Europe Apr 09, 2019 “An uncertain situation in Afghanistan and developments in Libya pose a serious risk to Europe in terms of migration pressure on the continent,” Péter Szijjártó said
News in Brief Brussels is going after Hungary's tax cuts, says official Mar 28, 2019 András Tállai, state minister at the Finance Ministry, has revealed that because Hungary is reducing its taxes at the fastest rate in the European Union it has become the target of Brussels bureaucracy
Blog Prime Minister PM Orbán: ‘We won’t do what Brussels dictates, if it’s not good for Hungarians’ Mar 24, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács With candid remarks about the leftward drift of the European People’s Party and the continued efforts in Brussels to impose a pro-immigration agenda, Prime Minister Orbán called on voters to turn out in large numbers at the European Parliamentary elections on May 26th and said that Hungary must not back down in the face of pressure.
News in Brief FM: People have the right to know what secret plans the EC is making Mar 11, 2019 The foreign minister has said that citizens of the European Union have the right to know “what secret plans the European Commission is making behind their backs to further undermine the continent’s security”
News in Brief Brussels wants to open the gates to millions of economic migrants, says official Mar 04, 2019 János Halász said economic migrants are illegally entering Europe together with real refugees
Blog It’s hard to look at the facts and say that the European Commission is doing everything it can to stop illegal immigration Mar 04, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács Responding to the Hungarian government’s information campaign, the European Commission has launched its own version of what they claim is the truth on migration.
Blog You have the right to know: the pro-migration majority in Brussels wants to hand out migrant visas to make immigration easier Mar 01, 2019 They call it a “humanitarian visa”, but, in effect, it facilitates immigration and sends an inviting message to others who would emigrate to Europe.
Blog You have the right to know: some in Brussels think your national borders are an unfortunate obstacle to immigration Feb 28, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács Have you noticed how the bureaucrats in Brussels talk about “border management” instead of saying “border protection” or “border defense”? It’s not a coincidence. It betrays a fundamental difference in how we approach migration. For those in the pro-migration lobby, immigration is a positive outcome and national borders are the obstacles.
Blog You have the right to know: Brussels and the never-ending story of the migrant quota Feb 27, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács On Monday, the European Commission issued a response to the government’s communication to Hungarian citizens that “everyone has a right to know what Brussels is planning.” The Commission response was published online in Hungarian as “Facts about the EU’s migration policy” and features an illustration (again in Hungarian) that says “You also have a right to know what is fact and what is fiction.”
Blog Prime Minister PM Orbán: Hungarians have the right to know what’s going on in Brussels Feb 22, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács In his regular Kossuth Rádió interview this morning, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke about the European Parliamentary election campaign, the importance of informing Hungarians about Brussels’ plans and touched upon the early responses to the government’s latest pro-family package.
News in Brief Brussels pushes forward with plans to force illegal migration onto EU member states Dec 17, 2018 István Hollik says the Brussels leadership doesn’t just want to manage migration, but in fact wants to increase it
News in Brief FM: Brussels and the United Nations clearly share the same goal of legalizing illegal migration Dec 11, 2018 Hungary views illegal migrants as illegal migrants and not as refugees, and the Hungarian government will vote against the UN migration compact in New York, said the foreign minister
Prime Minister Blog PM Orbán on EU summit: We defended our ground Oct 20, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács Even though “we have successfully defended Hungary’s right to protect its own borders,” Prime Minister Orbán said, “the debate remained the same.” However, they’ve put a new idea on the table, and it’s “the best proposal” to date.
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán: Hungary’s right to border protection was “successfully defended” at EU summit Oct 19, 2018 Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz suggested that the EU should adopt the concept of “mandatory solidarity”, each Member State should contribute to the management of migration, but not necessarily by taking refugees in
News in Brief Prime Minister Brexit talks lead agenda at Heads of State summit in Brussels Oct 18, 2018 The three-day Heads of State summit in Brussels included talks on Brexit, Russia and border control
Blog Prime Minister Brussels just keeps turning out more pro-migration plans Oct 13, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács Brussels has just published its latest plans, and it’s a “collection of horror stories for the Hungarian people.” In his regular Friday morning radio interview Prime Minister Orbán touched on a number of topics, including Brussels’ intention to take away from member states their authority to protect the border, the global conflict between globalists and nationalists and the main driving force behind Hungarian foreign policy.
News in Brief Brussels is attacking Hungary with another report that contains distortions and inaccuracies Sep 19, 2018 The Ministry of Interior said the Hungarian police force is successfully protecting the Schengen border of the European Union while fully complying with both EU and Hungarian law
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán: The Hungarian government will not give up its right to control the country’s borders Sep 18, 2018 “We will not allow anyone to take away one iota of our border control rights,” PM Orbán said during his address at the opening of parliament’s autumn session on Monday
News in Brief Hungary's FM: The European Union should speed up its enlargement process Aug 29, 2018 Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the government believes that the only way for the EU to be successful in the long term is if it can look beyond its everyday issues and make sensible decisions on strategic matters
News in Brief European Commission launches infringement procedure against Hungary over the “Stop Soros” package of laws Jul 20, 2018 “As long as the Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance is in government, Stop Soros and the constitutional amendment will remain intact, because the Hungarian people have made it clear that they do not want Hungary to be made into a country of immigrants,” the ruling Fidesz party said in a statement
Blog Here’s why Hungary rejects the latest draft of the 2021-2027 EU budget Jun 19, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács For starters, it uses the common budget for political gains, gives funds to rich countries and takes from the poor, and uses OLAF as a means of political blackmail.
News in Brief Hungary's FM: We must regard the linking of EU funding to the rule of law as fiction May 04, 2018 Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the laws and treaties that are in effect clearly set down the rights and obligations of member states, and they are the same for everyone
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán: Hungary will not allow its border fence to be dismantled or migrants to be admitted to the country Mar 23, 2018 Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been busy over the past few days touring Brussels where he reiterated his statement that “Europe is full”
News in Brief FM Szijjártó: Europe has never seen such a serious threat level as today Mar 22, 2018 “Over the last two and a half years terrorists of migrant origin have committed 27 terror attacks in Europe claiming 330 lives and injuring more than 1300,” FM Péter Szijjártó said during his press conference earlier today on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Brussels terror attack
News in Brief Brussels is interfering in the Hungarian election campaign and is using its country report to help the opposition, claims minister Mar 08, 2018 The minister of state for Government Communication said the aim of the Brussels report is to place pressure on Hungary and to achieve the downfall of the government and replace it with a “pro-immigration cabinet that is acceptable to Brussels”
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Kossuth Radio’s “180 Minutes” programme, December 1 Dec 04, 2017 1 December 2017
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán attends EU’s 5th Eastern Partnership summit and will host Chinese Premier this weekend Nov 24, 2017 During his visit to Brussels, the prime minister will hold further discussions on the Ukrainian Education Act, which grossly restricts minority rights. Following the arrival of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the two will attend the 7th China-CEEC Summit (16+1 Summit), which will be held in Budapest on Monday
News in Brief Brussels criticizes 'Soros' national consultation questionnaire as government receives strong response from public Nov 17, 2017 János Lázár, the minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that 1,295,000 Hungarians had sent back the consultation questionnaires which is a remarkably high number, and clearly demonstrates that the people want to state their views on the matter
News in Brief Hungary's government office chief: Attempts by factions in the European Parliament to shame and undermine Hungary are intensifying Nov 10, 2017 At the request of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an intelligence assessment has been completed concerning Soros’s activities in Berlin and Brussels and the extent to which Soros has succeeded in influencing opinion against Hungary
News in Brief Hungary's FM: Brussels is still trying to settle refugees in Europe Oct 23, 2017 Hungary’s foreign minister has said that it is clear Brussels is still trying to distribute illegal immigrants to EU member states
News in Brief Governmentinfo 101: PM Orbán's "successful, fruitful and useful" meeting with Juncker, the Soros plan and CEU Oct 20, 2017 Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had a "successful, fruitful and useful" working dinner with Jean-Claude Juncker and V4 leaders on Wednesday
News in Brief PM Orbán joins leaders from the Visegrad Group of countries for a working dinner hosted by Jean-Claude Juncker Oct 19, 2017 International media reports have touted the talks as a crucial meeting to “avoid an EU split”
Blog Brussels shoots itself in the foot with crackdown on Hungarian NGO transparency Oct 12, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács Their credibility just took another blow. It’s difficult to take seriously this latest move by the European Commission.
News in Brief Hungary will always defend itself against measures imposed upon it from abroad Oct 04, 2017 Hungary cooperates with the EU in respect of most common issues and common values, but identifies the issues with which it disagrees as this is inevitable and necessary for voicing a candid opinion
News in Brief EP’s Budgetary Control Committee says Hungary has made many positive developments Sep 26, 2017 The head of the delegation said that they think of Hungary as a modern and successful member state. They have established that the general standard of living is steadily increasing
News in Brief "Viktor Orbán is winning the migration debate" writes leading publication Sep 15, 2017 “Nobody will admit it in this town, but yes, Orbán’s narrative is prevailing," a senior EU offical told Politico
News in Brief EC rejects request for border fence contribution but government still insists on it Sep 04, 2017 The cost so far has been an enormous unforeseeable expense for the Hungarian budget amounting to 270 billion HUF. The government still hopes that Brussels will make a contribution to this cost
News in Brief Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's mic picks up "crazy" EU comment Jul 20, 2017 Netanyahu's comments were overheard during a meeting between Israel's PM and leaders of the V4 (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) at a summit held in Budapest on Wednesday
News in Brief EC to conduct "show trial" against Hungary over migrant distribution quotas Jul 14, 2017 Pál Völner, state secretary at the Justice Ministry, pointed out how the EC had not launched infringement procedures against all member states that have refused to comply with the scheme
News in Brief Hungary opposes EU plans to set up new asylum agency because it would simplify and accelerate migration Jul 10, 2017 Hungary’s southern border seal has fulfilled expectations and the pressure of migration has eased but this situation can change at any moment. Analysts in Germany have estimated that around 6.6 million people are ready to set off for Europe
News in Brief Hungary defends itself against criticisms from The Economist newspaper Jul 07, 2017 Hungary's government spokesman said that contrary to the narrative of The Economist, democracy is doing just fine in Hungary. Elections remain free and fair
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech at the closing event for the National Consultation Jun 29, 2017 27 June 2017, Budapest
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s address in Parliament before the start of daily business Jun 16, 2017 12 June 2017, Budapest
News in Brief Hungary criticizes Brussels for not taking terrorism seriously Jun 15, 2017 Why is the European Commission not holding a meeting about how to manage the most serious threat of terrorism? Hungary's foreign minister has asked
Blog Here’s what’s really behind the debate with Brussels over Hungary’s national consultation Jun 12, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács As the government announced last week, preliminary results of Hungary’s national consultation are in, and the number of responses received sets a new record.
News in Brief MEP says Soros “has sent an open declaration of war” to Hungary following Brussels speech Jun 02, 2017 Tamás Deutsch said that it had become apparent from a speech where Soros compared Hungary to a mafia state that he was ready to take any anti-democratic step to ensure the Hungarian government’s defeat
Blog “Eurodame” to the rescue! May 23, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács “This is the kind of doublespeak Hungary is seeking to combat,” I said in response to a reporter’s recent inquiry about a video produced with the support of the European Commission. “[W]hile everyone should be complying with EU regulations, propaganda materials supporting migration are being made from EU money.”
News in Brief PM Orbán: The heart of Europe is in the people, not Brussels May 22, 2017 "Many think that Europe is in Brussels, where instructions are given to member states," the prime minister said, adding that this kind of ideology led to the financial crisis of 2008. It also led to the “free movement of illegal migrants replacing the free movement of labor"
News in Brief The big question is whether Hungary can maintain its independence as a member state of the EU May 19, 2017 Serious disputes can be expected on relatively simple questions, such as who should decide whom to allow into Hungary. Voters think this decision should be kept in the hands of Hungarians, the prime minister's office said
News in Brief More than one million Hungarians have so far returned their national consultation questionnaires May 10, 2017 The government launched its survey dubbed “Let’s Stop Brussels” on April 1, sending questionnaires to the whole voter base of about 8 million people and providing a website to answer the questions
News in Brief Hungary will respond to Brussels' unjustified attack on National Consultation May 08, 2017 “The goal of the Brussels attacks is for fewer people to sign the National Consultation," Bence Tuzson said, adding that despite this interest is high, the people of Hungary realize that these are important issues and around 900,000 people have already returned their filled out National Consultation questionnaires
News in Brief Hungary says it's about time Brussels grasped the facts May 02, 2017 “We expect the Hungarians to be given the respect they have a right to and we draw the attention of the Brussels bureaucrats to the fact that while they are centered on Hungary, the country is defending the borders of the European Union from illegal immigration," the minister said
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Kossuth Radio’s “180 Minutes” programme May 02, 2017 April 28, 2017
News in Brief PM Orbán warns of a changing European society amid the migrant crisis Apr 27, 2017 The prime minister stated that in the process of migration two cultures are coming into contact with each other. He stressed that these two cultures will not mix, migrants will not integrate, and there is no chance of a new and better result
News in Brief PM Orbán in Brussels denounces double standards on university law and NGO transparency Apr 27, 2017 Once again appearing before a plenary session of the European Parliament devoted to “the situation in Hungary,” Prime Minister Orbán once again called attention to the double standards and hypocrisy toward a country that “protects Germany, Austria and Sweden” by upholding its international obligations to protect the EU’s border.
Blog Myth: If they want EU funds, Eastern European members must tow the line on Brussels' migration dictates Apr 25, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács In today’s information-saturated world, we encounter a number of arguments and story lines that become popular and oft-repeated despite having almost no basis in fact. They sound compelling and have many people who would very much like to believe them, but they’re not true. The longer they linger, however, the more they get in the way. These myths deserve to be busted.
Blog Is the European Union carrying out an NGO crackdown? Apr 10, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács Members of the European Parliament are so worried about the activities of certain foreign-funded NGOs that they’re calling for the EU to cut public funding for NGOs "demonstrably disseminating untruths". Others question "democratic legitimacy" of NGOs.
News in Brief Hungary set for Brussels battle over migrant crisis Apr 07, 2017 János Lázár, the minister heading the prime minister’s office, said that Hungary expects to have disputes of unprecedented ferocity with Brussels in May and June with respect to the issue of the distribution of immigrants
News in Brief Brussels sees Hungary as a 'rebel' it wants to punish Apr 05, 2017 In December 2015, Hungary turned to the European Court of Justice over the EU’s mandatory migrant quota scheme, which had been approved by a simple majority of EU interior ministers despite protest from Hungary
News in Brief Hungarian government send out next round of national consultation surveys to solicit citizen input Mar 27, 2017 The Hungarian government will send questionnaires to households next week in the latest round of national consultations
Speeches and Remarks Viktor Orbáns Interview in der Sendung „180 Minuten” [„180 perc”] von Radio Kossuth Mar 20, 2017 Viktor Orbáns Interview in der Sendung „180 Minuten” [„180 perc”] von Radio Kossuth
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s press conference after the meeting of the European Council Mar 13, 2017 Brussels, 10 March 2017
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister PM Viktor Orbán’s doorstep statement before the meeting of the European Council Mar 11, 2017 9 March 2017, Brussels
Blog Putting the rights of illegals before the rights of European citizens is “insane” Feb 28, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács Yesterday afternoon, Hungarian Minister of Justice Trócsányi and I were invited to defend the Orbán Government’s policy on migration before the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
Blog Prime Minister ‘The Hungarian model is working,’ says PM Orbán, ‘but faces 5 threats this year’ Feb 27, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács As a result of the hard work of Hungarian people, Hungary once again stands before an “economic breakthrough,” said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressing the Parliament earlier this week at the opening of the spring session.
News in Brief Prime Minister PM Orbán opens spring session of Parliament: 'The Hungarian economic model is working' Feb 21, 2017 PM Orbán said the government’s deficit target of 2.4 percent of GDP this year was “clearly” achievable. Hungary’s economy grew by 2 percent last year
News in Brief PM Orbán: 'Hungary will not allow Brussels to increase our energy prices' Dec 05, 2016 The Hungarian government will not allow Brussels to phase out statutory fixed energy prices which would mean an end to reductions in household utility bills
Blog PM Viktor Orbán: Europe’s freedom-loving peoples must save Brussels from Sovietization Oct 25, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács “[O]ur geographical position every thirty years causes history to suddenly thrust [Hungarians] into the main current of debate on the future of Europe,” said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Sunday, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight against the Soviet Union in 1956.
Blog The amendment gives voice to the people’s will Oct 19, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács “In 2015, a migratory wave of unforeseen proportions reached the borders of Europe,” according to the text presenting the proposed amendments to the Fundamental Law of Hungary. “One and a half million people crossed Schengen borders illegally. The cultural and economic integration of the masses of newcomers has made Europe face an unsolvable task, and uncontrolled border-crossings have significantly increased the danger of terror.
News in Brief PM Orbán announces changes to constitution Oct 05, 2016 The proposed changes include: A clear statement on preventing Brussels from ordering the resettlement of migrants to Hungary and a ban on mandatory group resettlements
Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's press conference after the announcement of referendum results [full text in English] Oct 03, 2016 Budapest, October 2, 2016
News in Brief Hungary's referendum from an outside perspective Sep 29, 2016 The referendum on October 2nd is to enable the Hungarian people to have their say, protect their country and tell Brussels that they don't want to be forced to take in asylum seekers
News in Brief Hungary's referendum could foil Brussels' plans Sep 23, 2016 The prime minister said that he loves Hungary just the way it is, and does not want to see anyone change it under orders from outside
Blog Hungary’s October 2 referendum: the stakes couldn’t be higher Aug 31, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács In a little over a month, Hungarian voters will go to the polls in a national referendum. They will vote on one question: Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary even without the approval of the National Assembly?
News in Brief PM Orban: Referendum tsunami will hit the EU Aug 19, 2016 Hungarian Prime Minister believes that the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland will follow Hungary's lead by voting against the EU's forced migration quotas
News in Brief Brussels must listen or face losing member states Aug 19, 2016 Europe’s future depends on how the EU responds to the member states and its people
Blog PM Orbán: Europe Needs a Stable Egypt Jun 03, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács Following his meeting with the “Sunni Pope,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán talked about Europe’s catastrophic interventions in the Islamic world, the need for a stable Egypt and a re-stabilized Libya in his regular radio interview this week. He also touched upon the Brexit referendum and the dangers of the evolving democratic deficit in today’s European Union.
Blog Tittle-tattle and rumor and Hungarians in Brussels May 24, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács Hungary certainly has its critics in the EU quarter, but the real picture looks substantially different. Hungarians and our prime minister have become known as straight-talkers, and that directness, because our message makes sense to a lot of people, has also won many supporters.
Blog PM Orbán Demands Democratic EU, Exposes Soros-Clinton Ties and Political Agenda May 20, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács While elites will inevitably maneuver to shape politics in a democracy, it is up to the people to decide on a country’s direction, Prime Minister Orbán emphasized in his regular radio interview this morning. Every thirty years or so, Hungary finds itself in the spotlight on the stage of international politics, he said, but people should not allow themselves to be deterred by the blinding spotlights.
Blog Will Brussels Ever Wake Up? May 12, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács Jaws dropped across the European Union last week as the Eurocrats revealed their latest proposal. Whether it was in the way they dehumanized refugees by putting price tags on their heads or accused elected prime ministers of being undemocratic, the tendentious actions of the Eurocrats seem to be deliberately intended to alienate friends and supporters of the European idea. With the Brexit referendum just around the corner, Eurocrats would do well to exercise more restraint.