About Hungary beta

I bet you didn’t know this about Finland

Our goal is simply to share some of these lesser-known facts that can help the independent spectator see the full picture

Unlike Weber, von der Leyen accepted our support and rose to victory

It’s clear that those thirteen Fidesz-KDNP votes were vital to her election

Hungary leads NATO’s Baltic Air Policing

Hungary, augmented by the United Kingdom and Spain, leads the 50th NATO Baltic Air Policing detachment.

Here’s to more investments and another bullish economic forecast

Interest in Hungarian contracts was at an all-time high

Hungary’s 2020 Budget: families, families and families

In addition to supporting families, the 2020 budget is also about protecting the economic results achieved so far and continuing tax reductions

PM Orbán: Migration will continue to define future political debates

Migration remains the main question for debate in European politics

Here’s what you need to know about the reform of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Here’s what’s happening and why.

Germany

News in Brief

FM: German companies have created over 300,000 jobs in Hungary

Jun 13, 2019

The FM pointed out that the Hungarian and German economies are mutually dependent on one another, and that 30 percent of Hungary’s foreign investments come from Germany.

News in Brief

BME signs cooperation agreement with Germany’s KIT to issue dual degrees to electrical engineering students

Apr 12, 2019

László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, said the new cooperation scheme would serve as an example for the future

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán congratulates Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on becoming leader of CDU

Dec 11, 2018

In a letter to Kramp-Karrenbauer, PM Orbán said that she took over the party at a “crucial moment” for the CDU, for Germany and for the European Union

News in Brief

The German government is now consistent in refusing illegal migration, says minister

Aug 30, 2018

Minister Gulyás said it's now the German government’s position that countries of the Schengen area have to fulfill their obligations to protect the external borders

News in Brief

Germany is the biggest investor in Hungary

Aug 03, 2018

"Germany is Hungary’s most important external trading partner; its market share is 26.9 percent of the whole Hungarian foreign trade turnover," says Róbert Ésik

News in Brief

Government spokesman says Hungary's relationship with Germany is on course for major improvement

Jul 06, 2018

The spokesman pointed out that the flow of goods between Germany and the countries of the V4 is 50 percent higher than the level of trade between Germany and France.

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold migrant crisis talks in Berlin

Jul 05, 2018

PM Orbán will today outline the country’s position on migration and make it clear that Hungary will not conclude any bilateral agreement on migrants with Germany until an agreement is reached between Austria and Germany

News in Brief

German Chancellor says that by protecting the EU’s external border, Hungary is also protecting Germany

Jun 11, 2018

“By protecting the Hungarian-Serbian external EU border, Hungary is protecting Germany, too,” Chancellor Merkel said. "In order to preserve free movement within the community, a real European border police must be established"

News in Brief

PM Orbán congratulates Angela Merkel on her re-election as Germany’s federal chancellor

Mar 15, 2018

The prime minister said Hungarian-German cooperation had contributed to shaping Europe’s future in a positive way

Blog Prime Minister

Guess who’s talking about “no-go zones”

Feb 28, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Remember that time back in the autumn of 2016 when the government of Hungary had the audacity to talk about “no-go zones”?

News in Brief

Hungary encourages economic cooperation between V4 and Germany to restore Europe’s strength and competitiveness

Jan 11, 2018

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that as the current holder of the rotating presidency of the V4, Hungary is leading the drive to deepen ties between the V4 and Germany

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán in Bild: We didn’t want migrants, you did - now accept the consequences

Jan 11, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

“We didn’t want migrants, you did,” Prime Minister Orbán said in an interview published this week in the German daily Bild, adding that Germany and Angela Merkel’s infamous Wilkommenskultur were at the forefront of support for immigration. Prime Minister Orbán, however, has pushed for a different approach, insisting that the borders of Europe must be protected to preserve the freedoms achieved within the EU and that illegal immigration has a direct impact on security.

News in Brief

Hungarian mathematician László Székelyhidi Jr. wins prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize

Jan 10, 2018

László Székelyhidi Jr. is the third Hungarian to receive the prestigious award, and the first Hungarian mathematician. He will receive his award in Berlin on March 19th

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán says Hungary is doing its part in the migrant crisis by protecting the EU’s Schengen border

Jan 09, 2018

PM Orbán said he does not see those striving to enter the European Union as Muslim refugees but as economic migrants in search of a better life

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán holds talks with Bavarian Minister-President Horst Seehofer

Jan 08, 2018

"2018 will be the year for restoring the people’s will in Europe,” PM Orbán said

News in Brief

Hungary-Germany relations remain strong despite smear campaign, says Fidesz group leader

Nov 17, 2017

Germany is Hungary’s most important partner, and economic relations coupled with unique cultural and person-to-person ties are exceptionally strong

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán marks 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum in Berlin

Oct 13, 2017

In a poignant letter sent to the Hildebrand Foundation, the prime minister wrote that he hoped “the peoples of Europe, who share the same values, will never be separated from each other ever again"

News in Brief

Hungary's Foreign Minister in response to Angela Merkel: PM Orbán ordered the Hungarian authorities to uphold Schengen rules in all circumstances

Sep 05, 2017

Minister Szijjártó said it was an “honor” for Hungary that its efforts were mentioned during Germany's political debate and recognition that Germany was “finally aware of the efforts Hungary is making to fulfil its commitments to the bloc by protecting itself and Europe”

News in Brief

Hungary and Baden-Württemberg are in full agreement over the protection of EU's borders

Jul 13, 2017

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, held political talks with the German states' leaders on Wednesday in Stuttgart

Blog

An Egg Without a Shell, a Country Without Borders

Jul 10, 2017 - Mária Schmidt

European history is a history of invasions

Blog

Europeans want less EU on migration, poll says

Jun 27, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

“European publics are quite critical of the EU’s handling of refugee issues,” according to the Pew Research Center’s recent public opinion study. “And they want their national governments to be the ones making decisions about the migration of non-EU citizens into their countries”

News in Brief

Foreign minister says Martin Schulz should focus on his own failing party rather than criticizing Hungary

Jun 26, 2017

“Everything always reminds Schulz of the Hungarian prime minister, but he had better get to work on his own party after its three ignominious election defeats over the past few months,” Minister Szijjártó said

News in Brief

Hungarian government strongly refutes Martin Schulz’s criticisms of Hungary’s stance on immigration

Jun 15, 2017

Hungary is currently engaged in litigation in relation to the EU migrant quota decision, with Slovakia, Poland and others on side. The quota scheme is “unfair, unlawful and impracticable"

News in Brief

Holocaust denier Horst Mahler sent back to Germany

Jun 13, 2017

Mahler will be taken to his native country by plane from Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport today, Tuesday June 13, 2017

News in Brief

V4 group's contribution to reunification of Germany recognized by monument in Berlin

Jun 12, 2017

The plaque - by Hans Joachim Albrecht, titled “Crouching figure straightening” - was erected at the central Berlin Wall memorial near the longest remaining section of the Wall

News in Brief

Holocaust denier Horst Mahler will be extradited to Germany

Jun 07, 2017

The ruling to transport Mahler to Germany is now legally in force, the court said. According to international regulations, Hungary can keep Mahler in custody until June 16 and he will be released to Germany before that deadline

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

Holocaust denier Horst Mahler arrested in Hungary

May 16, 2017

Hungarian police have confirmed that Mahler has been detained in Sopron and would most likely be returned to Germany

News in Brief

Hungary maintains partnership with Russia

May 04, 2017

The close cooperation between the two countries are certainly good for feeding political rumors. But on what gas would Hungarian industry run today, what fuel would Hungarian households use for heating if the gas purchase agreement had expired at the end of 2015, Hungary's foreign minister said

News in Brief

Hungary expresses deep regret that 'Soros lies' have been able to deceive the German government

Apr 06, 2017

Meanwhile, Deputy State Secretary Kristóf Altusz has summoned the temporary chargés d’affaires of the United States and Germany to discuss the act on higher education

News in Brief

Syrian man wanted for murder arrested in Hungary

Mar 24, 2017

Hungary's police headquarters said officers checked the 25-year-old man's data, and it was established he was wanted in Germany for homicide, and was detained by the Gyula police force

News in Brief

2017 is set to become Hungary's busiest year in foreign affairs

Jan 30, 2017

The year ahead will be “very active” in foreign affairs and will not be comparable to previous years, Hungary's minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said

News in Brief

Nearly 33,000 Hungarians living abroad receive pensions and benefits from Hungary

Jan 03, 2017

Most Hungarians get their pension sent over to Germany followed by Austria, Canada, the US, Sweden, Slovakia and Australia

News in Brief

PM Orbán sends condolences to Germany following terrorist attack in Berlin

Dec 20, 2016

"I can assure you that my government condemns every form of terror and violence, and stands ready to cooperate with Germany in order to guarantee the safety of Europe and its citizens," PM Orbán said

Blog

Chancellor Merkel’s call for a ban on the burqa and why it mattered to this week’s EU Council meeting

Dec 16, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

At the party congress of the German CDU earlier this month, Chancellor Angela Merkel surprised some with her call to ban the burqa.

News in Brief

The EU should worry over the rule of law in Hungary, says German official

Nov 08, 2016

Michael Roth, Germany's deputy foreign minister, said the EU must be concerned about the erosion of the rule of law in Hungary and should strengthen tools to safeguard liberal democracy

Blog

‘Protecting European Freedom’: PM Orbán’s interview with Passauer Neue Presse

Oct 22, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

Hungary’s stance on immigration has been labeled one of the “destroyers of Europe”, however these sentiments couldn’t be further from the truth. Hungary’s border policy does in fact protect European freedom.

Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister

Interview with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the newspaper Passauer Neue Presse [full text in English]

Oct 21, 2016

October 20, 2016

News in Brief

Hungary passes 1956 Revolution declaration

Oct 18, 2016

A statement has been signed by four of the five official parliamentary parties on the 60th anniversary of Hungary’s anti-Soviet 1956 Revolution

News in Brief

PM Orbán: 'Those who came illegally must be shipped out' then apply for asylum

Sep 22, 2016

The PM reiterated that the external borders of the EU must be strengthened to prevent a repeat of the 2015 flow of migrants

News in Brief

Austria will take Hungary to court if they reject migrants

Sep 07, 2016

The rules of the Dublin agreement were breeched last year by other EU countries, the Hungarian government says as it continues to protect the security of its nation for its citizens

News in Brief

Germans escape migrant crisis by relocating to Hungary

Aug 12, 2016

Hungary is becoming a safe haven for Europeans fleeing migrant hit nations in fear of terrorism, German media reports.

News in Brief

Germany says Hungary is on the right path in migrant crisis

May 27, 2016

Germany’s Minister of Finance has said that not everything Hungary does in the refugee crisis is incorrect

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán: Differences between Hungary and Germany on migration are now over

Apr 22, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

“When I visit southern Germany, I always find time to visit Mr. Chancellor [Kohl],” said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about his latest meeting with former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, adding that they discussed the future of Europe and bilateral relations between Germany and Hungary. Today, in his regular biweekly radio interview, the prime minister had several interesting things to say about both. A few things that may surprise you.

News in Brief Prime Minister

Viktor Orbán and Helmut Kohl: Europe cannot be a new home to millions of people in need around the world

Apr 20, 2016

In a joint statement released after visiting the former German chancellor at his home in Germany on Tuesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former Chancellor Helmut Kohl stated that Europe cannot be a new home to the millions of people in need around the world.

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán and Chancellor Kohl, the ‘face of German-Hungarian friendship’

Apr 20, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

Accepting former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s invitation, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, visited the former chancellor yesterday at his home in Oggersheim, Germany.

News in Brief Prime Minister

It's not about institutions but about credible leaders

Apr 19, 2016

In Stuttgart on Tuesday Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met former Minister President of Baden-Württemberg Erwin Teufel. In their meeting they discussed the future of European Christian democracy and crisis situations in the European Union.