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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

European Commission improves its predictions for Hungary’s economic growth

May 07, 2018

The Commission’s growth forecast is higher than predicted in its autumn report, therefore acknowledging that Hungary’s growth rate is to exceed that of the EU

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

Hungarian MEP critical of new EC budget plans

May 03, 2018

Hungarian MEPs are divided over a new mechanism included in the European Commission’s budget proposal for 2021-27, which could penalise member states that undermine the rule of law

News in Brief

European Commission poll finds a large number of citizens think the integration of migrants has failed

May 02, 2018

The EC posed the following question to all 28 Member States: Generally speaking, how successful or not is the integration of most immigrants living in [your country]?

News in Brief

Western Europe accuses Hungary of breaching judicial independence because it represents a different stance on migration and border protection, says minister

Mar 12, 2018

Central Europe remains skeptical about the idea of multiculturalism because from its perspective it isn’t working particularly well in western Europe, says minister of Justice

Blog

The Commission’s country report on Hungary: A political report from a political body

Mar 12, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

The European Commission released last week the biannual country report on Hungary. Aside from a few words of praise for the government’s role in Hungary’s economic turnaround, what we find is a disappointing list of old issues and a clear attempt on the part of the Brussels bureaucracy to influence the outcome of Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

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”

News in Brief

Hungary says the rule of law procedure instituted by the Commission against Poland is unjustified and legally unfounded

Feb 28, 2018

According to the minister of State for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Commission's goal is to put political pressure on Warsaw, and Hungary rejects this in the strongest possible terms

News in Brief

Hungary’s foreign minister has officially protested over the negotiations on the UN’s Compact for Migration

Feb 26, 2018

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, made his feelings known in a letter to the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini

Blog

And what did the European Commission have to say about former PM Tudose’s outrageous remark?

Jan 16, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Hungarian state television M1 asked for a reaction, and here’s what they got from the Commission spokesperson

News in Brief

Hungary will veto EC's decision to trigger Article 7 against Poland

Dec 21, 2017

Hungary's Deputy PM said the government will continue to stand firmly by Poland and that “we shall defend Poland in the face of an unfair, fabricated political procedure”

News in Brief

FM Szijjártó: Tusk has spoken the truth with regard to the mandatory relocation quotas

Dec 14, 2017

The minister welcomed the fact that, finally, a serious European leader, the president of the European Council, has labeled mandatory relocation quotas for what they are: ineffective and divisive

Blog

Yes, Mr. Commissioner, quotas are ‘divisive’ and ‘ineffective’

Dec 13, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

In preparation for Thursday’s EU summit, President of the European Council Donald Tusk has circulated a note to EU leaders saying that “the issue of mandatory quotas has proven to be highly divisive and the approach has turned out to be ineffective.”

News in Brief

EC awards Budapest's Dohany Street Synagogue European Heritage site status

Dec 08, 2017

The European Commission announced that the 158-year-old synagogue, the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world, would be added to the list of 38 heritage sites next year, joining the likes of Italy’s Fort Cadine and Slovenia’s Javorca Church

News in Brief

EC's infringement proceedings in relation to Hungary’s legislation on foreign-funded non-governmental organizations is unfounded

Dec 06, 2017

Pál Völner, ministry of Justice’s Parliamentary State Secretary, said the government had responded to the commission in writing stating that the Hungarian legislation does not contravene either EU or international law

News in Brief

Soros held meeting with MEP responsible for resettlement quotas just days before EP vote

Nov 20, 2017

Antal Rogán said that the European Commission states that immigration via the Mediterranean has slowed with the onset of winter, therefore 50,000 immigrants should be “brought in” from Turkey and distributed across central Europe

News in Brief

EU should contribute to cost of Hungary's border fence, says minister

Nov 17, 2017

Hungary stands by its position that the European Commission should contribute to the costs of the country’s border fence

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 Prime Minister

PM Orbán meets with EC Commissioner to ensure Hungary becomes leader in digitalization efforts

Nov 10, 2017

In the Parliament Building on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with EC Commissioner for a Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip who praised Hungary’s programs aimed at major digital developments

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

The European Commission could punish EU member states if they reject the "Soros plan"

Sep 27, 2017

In a 2016 draft proposal, the European Commission recommended that member states that refuse to participate in the mandatory resettlement of illegal immigrants should pay a so-called solidarity fine of 78 million HUF (250,000 EUR) per rejected migrant

News in Brief

Hungary's struggles with Brussels over migrant crisis have only just begun, says state secretary

Sep 14, 2017

“Brussels may launch a lawsuit against Hungary in the days to come because of [its opposition to] the mandatory migrant quotas, the struggle over immigration has but just begun," Pál Völner said

News in Brief

PM Orbán tells Jean-Claude Juncker that his “interpretation of solidarity conforms neither to EU law nor the historical traditions of Hungary”

Sep 08, 2017

"I’d like to repeat the Hungarian government’s request that the European Union pay half the cost of Hungarian measures, including the fence, aimed at protecting the common Schengen borders,” PM Orbán said

News in Brief

Hungary's border fence is not only protecting the country but also Western Europe, says foreign minister

Sep 05, 2017

“Hungary has incurred over 800 million euros in costs and expenses relating to border protection tasks, and we are justified in expecting the EU to refund part of this expenditure based on solidarity," Hungary's foreign minister said

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

Hungary's foreign minister says the country opposes the double standards set forth by the European Commission

Sep 01, 2017

"We reject that the European Union should apply double standards in relation to anyone; we are regrettably observing that the European Commission is applying double standards in relation to Poland very intensively. This is unacceptable," Minister Szijjártó said

News in Brief

Hungary extends state of emergency due to mass immigration by six months until March 7

Aug 31, 2017

“During the summer it was proven that the threat of terrorism in Europe has increased as a result of mass immigration, and accordingly strict border controls continue to be necessary in the interests of the security of the Hungarian people," Hungary's government spokesperson said

News in Brief

Top European court’s advocate general says Hungary's migrant resettlement challenge should be dismissed

Jul 27, 2017

Hungarian politicians denounce the advisor's report as politically charged, lacking legal arguments and 'fitting the Soros plan'

News in Brief

European Commission has launched a “witch hunt” against several central European countries that offer solutions to migrant crisis

Jul 21, 2017

Hungary's foreign minister has said the European Commission has attacked several central European countries that speak about European challenges openly and honestly

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 has one month to respond to EC infringement procedure over the law on transparency of foreign-funded NGOs

Jul 13, 2017

The EC said it has sent Hungary a letter of formal notice, which officially launches the procedure

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

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

News in Brief

The V4 group "stands united" on the issue of migration

Jun 13, 2017

The 2015 EU decision of issuing a migrant quota to every member state “is unacceptable because it goes against common sense and because it infringes upon EU treaties”

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

Hungary welcomes German and Italian calls for EC to establish border protection mission in Libya

May 18, 2017

“The Hungarian government fully agrees with the proposal, especially in view of the fact that 42,500 illegal immigrants have arrived in Italy as of mid-April, and many more are expected to set out for the continent with the arrival of good weather," Hungary's foreign minister said

News in Brief

Hungary's former Socialist government lands the country an 18 billion HUF fine by European Commission

May 15, 2017

The EU has determined major discrepancies with relation to eight contracts concluded between 2003 and 2009. This is the second largest sum that Hungary must repay following the corruption scandal relating to the Metro 4 project

News in Brief

European Commission raises Hungary's GDP growth forecast to 3.6 percent

May 12, 2017

The EC’s projections are below the government’s forecasts for GDP growth of 4.1 percent in 2017 and 4.3 percent in 2018

Blog

Frans Timmermans must respect the dignity of Holocaust victims

May 10, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

Political debates can get nasty. A certain amount of give-and-take comes with the territory, and as a spokesperson, I’ve experienced it firsthand. There are red lines that should not be crossed, though, and assailing the dignity of the victims of mass genocide crosses the brightest of them. Every reasonable person, including European Commission Vice President Timmermans, should know that no matter how deep the political disagreement, Holocaust victims should not be exploited as weapons in such a fight.

News in Brief

Hungary’s Tibor Navracsics says EU is experiencing one of the hardest periods of its history

May 09, 2017

The European commissioner for education, culture youth and sport said that securing economic growth and promoting a stable, peaceful European community will remain in the focus of the European Commission’s efforts during the remainder of its mandate

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

Frans Timmermans should resign, says Hungary's foreign minister

May 05, 2017

Timmermans' accusation is unfair and unacceptable. Hungary “has done more than anyone in Europe to combat anti-Semitism"

News in Brief

Hungary defends itself against migrant pressure from Brussels

May 04, 2017

Hungary does not wish to change its immigration regulations, and if the Brussels Commission launches legal proceedings the government is ready to fight the resulting legal battle

News in Brief

European Commission takes legal action against Hungary over law on higher education

Apr 26, 2017

The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Budapest, to which the Hungarian authorities have one month to respond

News in Brief

Frans Timmermans' comments surrounding Hungary's amended law on higher education are "pathetic accusations"

Apr 13, 2017

Laws cannot be suspended, but this does not mean that there is no solution. The parties must engage in talks, and the prime minister has appointed Kristóf Altusz to lead the negotiations, Hungary's government spokesperson said

News in Brief

Hungary has no intentions of closing down CEU, but Soros tries to politicize the issue

Apr 11, 2017

The Hungarian government is not closing down any universities, and that includes the Soros university. All the Hungarian government would like is for every university to enjoy a level playing field, and if someone would like to enjoy special privileges, such as issuing a diploma from outside Europe, then there must be an international agreement concerning that fact

News in Brief

EC says Hungary has a healthy economy

Mar 28, 2017

István Székely, director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, said Hungary's stable economy belongs to the "healthier half” of the EU member states

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán calls President Putin after EC agreement on Paks II nuclear power upgrade

Mar 08, 2017

Hungary aims to replace the four reactors currently operating at the Paks site, which were constructed in the 1980s and account for approximately 50 percent of Hungary's domestic electricity production

News in Brief

European Commission approves Hungary's Paks II nuclear power investment

Mar 06, 2017

Hungary aims to replace the four reactors currently operating at the Paks site, which were constructed in the 1980s and account for approximately 50 percent of Hungary's domestic electricity production

News in Brief

Hungary to build secondary line of defense along Serbian border

Feb 24, 2017

A “significant number” of illegal migrants could arrive in Hungary in 2017. The government will increase the budget of the interior ministry by 38 billion HUF (123.5m euros) to facilitate the construction of the second barrier

News in Brief

The European Commission praises Hungary's 'solid' economic performance

Feb 23, 2017

In the 2017 Country Report, the EC said Hungary had made “some progress” in reducing the tax wedge for low-income earners and facilitating the transition of fostered workers to the primary labor market

News in Brief

European Commission launches infringement procedure against Hungary

Feb 16, 2017

The procedure has been launched regarding legislation on retail food sales and stepped up another on measures dealing with environmental noise

News in Brief

European Commission raises Hungary's GDP growth forecast

Feb 13, 2017

The EC revealed the findings in its 2017 winter economic forecast, an upward revision from the 2.6 percent growth predicted in its earlier autumn forecast in November

News in Brief

Former mayor of Budapest to face parliamentary committee over M4 corruption scandal

Feb 07, 2017

Gábor Demszky's lawyer said the former mayor would cooperate with any investigation and has nothing to hide

News in Brief

Hungary improving environmental performance

Feb 07, 2017

The EC cited floods as the biggest environmental problem along the Danube and Tisza rivers, while air pollution was named the main challenge in Budapest and other parts of Hungary

News in Brief

Hungary's Paks nuclear power upgrade awaiting nod from European Commission

Feb 01, 2017

Rosatom's CEO Alexey Likhachev said that everything is still in the planning stages and the team are awaiting the nod from the EC, which he predicts will come soon

News in Brief

Hungary repairs relations with Serbia

Nov 21, 2016

Both governments and both prime ministers have done much to replace an earlier tense relationship with one of cooperation

News in Brief

Hungary's nuclear power plant to be expanded after EC approves Russian deal

Nov 18, 2016

The Paks II plant will be refurbished and expanded after the EC closed the infringement procedure brought against Hungary

News in Brief

Hungary referred to EU Court of Justice over mobile payment service

Nov 18, 2016

The EC said the exclusive right granted to state-owned company Nemzeti Mobilfizetési to provide mobile payment services is an unjustified obstacle to the provision of services in the single market

News in Brief

Hungary brings forward call for EU funding tenders

Oct 18, 2016

Hungary’s government could call tenders for all European Union funding available for the 2014-2020 funding cycle by next spring

News in Brief

The European Commission 'takes note' of Hungary's referendum

Oct 03, 2016

"We believe it is for the Hungarian government to decide how to deal with the outcome of this national referendum," the European Commission has said

News in Brief

TODAY'S REFERENDUM: Hungary's historic vote on the EU's migrant quotas

Oct 02, 2016

The referendum's question is "Do you want the European Union to be able to prescribe the mandatory settlement of non-Hungarian citizens in Hungary even without the consent of Parliament?"

News in Brief

New EU plans push forward with forced migration quotas

Sep 28, 2016

Hungarians are expected to vote in record numbers on Sunday during the historic October 2 referendum, where voters are expected to reject the forced migration quotas imposed upon them by the EU

Blog

Yes, there is a quota plan out there and that’s the reason for the October referendum

Sep 26, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

As Hungary’s referendum on Brussels’ mandatory migrant relocation quotas approaches, there’s a particular question that crops up repeatedly.

News in Brief

Brussels is sticking to its migrant relocation plan

Sep 20, 2016

“Brussels is powerless if the majority of a country stands behind its government," András Giró-Szász said

News in Brief

EU wants to resettle 120,000 migrants in Hungary

Sep 12, 2016

Hungarians must not “give up their right to vote” and ensure they have their say in the October 2 referendum

News in Brief

Hungarian government to lower VAT on internet services

Sep 09, 2016

VAT on internet services will drop from 27 to 18 percent in 2017, and to 5 percent in 2018

News in Brief

The EU hasn't faced this many challenges since World War II

Aug 30, 2016

The Visegrad Four (V4) group comprising Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic is the tightest and most effective alliance in Europe and one that can help bring Europe out of its current troubles

News in Brief

The left is spreading lies to undermine referendum

Aug 30, 2016

The left is trying to invalidate the referendum initiated by the Hungarian government by spreading “unfounded and false news"

News in Brief

EU president wants to deny the people of their democratic voice

Aug 01, 2016

The mandatory relocation quotas are based on the “principle of stupidity”, and the people of Hungary have a right to their say

News in Brief

The EU continues its forced migration quotas

Jul 14, 2016

New plans unveiled by Brussels would impose the obligation on every EU member state to take in immigrants

News in Brief

PM Orban: Both the EU and the euro are in danger

Jul 11, 2016

PM Orban thinks the crisis in the EU was partly triggered by the opening of its borders to migrants, and because some member states let their budget deficits run high

News in Brief

EU finds Hungary in breach of aid rules

Jul 04, 2016

Two Hungarian fiscal measures based on progressive turnover rate structures were in breach of EU aid rules

Blog

PM Orbán on Brexit: It happened because of Europe’s failure to resolve the migration crisis

Jun 29, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

As hideous terror attacks at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport draw attention away from this week’s European Summit and politicians struggle to find the appropriate response to the outcome of the Brexit referendum, EU leadership seems to be grasping for direction.

Blog

Here’s the problem with the twisted story from Brussels about how Hungary segregates Roma kids

Jun 20, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

Infringement procedures – a legal tool designed to make sure European laws are harmonized – arise from time to time for all EU members states. It’s just part of life in a union comprising 28 countries and one set of European acquis.

Blog

No, this is not the “new normal”

Jun 10, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

The Commission’s latest proposal on how to manage the migration crisis includes a plan that made our jaws drop.

News in Brief

EC investigation into Hungary's Roma children is inaccurate

May 27, 2016

Hungary has implemented its integration strategy consistently, and the results are already visible

News in Brief

PM Orban: The EU treats Poland unfairly

May 20, 2016

The European Commission continues its unprecedented investigation into the rule of law in Poland

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.

Blog

Score one for democracy: Hungary’s top court gives green light to referendum on migrant quota

May 06, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

Hungary’s top court ruled this week in favor of the government’s plan for a referendum on the European Union’s mandatory migrant resettlement quotas. With the court’s decision, the last legal obstacle in Hungary has been removed

News in Brief

European Commission: Hungary's GDP to continue growth path in 2016 and 2017

May 05, 2016

European Commission predicts Hungary's GDP to rise even higher than originally thought

News in Brief

Every country has the right to decide on its own energy mix, says government commissioner on Paks

Apr 19, 2016

As the project to enlarge the Paks atomic power station continues, Hungary is acting in harmony with the EU’s energy policy considering that the European Commission itself is monitoring the maintenance of nuclear production capacity in the future, the government commissioner responsible for maintaining the capacity of the Paks atomic power station told the Hungarian News Agency MTI on Monday.