About Hungary beta

Q & A on former Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski’s asylum request in Hungary

Some questions and answers concerning an extraordinary case

Hungary's third-quarter GDP grows by 5 percent year-on-year

Here's the English version of Hungary's national consultation on the protection of the family

Here’s my response that Süddeutsche Zeitung refused to publish

Minister Gulyás on the Article 7 procedure: ‘A political accusation disguised as rule-of-law concerns’

"We believe that the accusation stating there is a systemic threat to rule-of-law in Hungary is completely absurd"

PM Orbán: It’s better to govern with the people than against the people

"We Hungarians don’t simply want to have the numbers. We want Hungarian children.”

PM Orbán and EPP support Weber for top job

“We are bridge builders. We build bridges between the European Union and its citizens,” Weber said, reiterating his campaign’s slogan

Fake News: No, Le Monde, Hungary was not alone in Shanghai

This work of journalism is so sloppy it deserves special mention in our fake news collection

Hungary-U.S. relations

News in Brief Prime Minister

Hungary holds important energy talks with the US in Parliament

Nov 14, 2018

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry held talks with David B. Cornstein, Ambassador of the United States of America, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Antal Rogán, Head of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister

News in Brief

Government Spokesperson: More people in the United States acknowledge and respect the work and consistent viewpoints of the Hungarian government

Oct 12, 2018

Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács has worked feverishly to represent Hungary and its interests at numerous forums across the United States

News in Brief

US government opens exchange program to Hungarian high school students for scholarships to study in America for a year

Oct 03, 2018

“I’m excited to announce that we are expanding the FLEX program to Hungary,” Ambassador Cornstein said. “This program is a fantastic opportunity for talented Hungarian high school students to study and live in the United States for one year"

News in Brief

Remembering the September 11th terrorist attack in the United States

Sep 11, 2018

US ambassador remembered “the outpouring support from our friends around the world including our NATO-ally Hungary, who offered solidarity during that difficult time"

News in Brief

US Ambassador: No freedoms are infringed in Hungary

Aug 30, 2018

“Over the last two months I have had extremely positive experiences here,” said US Ambassador David B. Cornstein earlier today in an interview with the Jewish magazine Szombat. “Had I witnessed that the freedom of any individual or institution was put in danger, I’d be the first one to raise concerns,” he added.

News in Brief

Hungary’s national day marked in Washington, DC

Aug 22, 2018

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed his greetings to the Hungarian people to help celebrate the national holiday

News in Brief

Foreign minister visits Washington for the fourth time this year to build relations with the United States

Jul 31, 2018

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, held talks with Assistant State Secretary Wess Mitchell, and discussed bilateral political and international security issues

News in Brief

Hungary is determined to maintain strong bilateral relations with the USA

Jul 17, 2018

Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded 5.4 billion USD in 2018

News in Brief

Ambassador Cornstein says US-Hungary relations are set for improvement

Jul 12, 2018

US ambassador said relations between the two countries “have not been how they should have” recently

News in Brief

The foreign minister and US ambassador celebrate Independence Day in Hungary

Jul 04, 2018

During a reception hosted by the US Embassy to mark the Fourth of July celebrations, Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungarians, just like Americans, are real freedom fighters

Blog

A new chapter in Hungary-US political relations

Jul 03, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Late last week, US Ambassador David Cornstein presented his credentials to President János Áder in Budapest. We’re delighted to have a new ambassador from the US, and Mr. Cornstein’s arrival comes at a time when relations between Hungary and the US seem to be entering a new era.

News in Brief

The new US Ambassador to Hungary presents his credentials to President Áder

Jun 26, 2018

During a senate hearing before his appointment, Cornstein said his primary focus as ambassador to Hungary would be to strengthen bilateral ties and promote democratic values such as the freedoms of expression, media, and religion

News in Brief

New US Ambassador to Hungary arrives in Budapest

Jun 25, 2018

David B. Cornstein was greeted on behalf of the Hungarian government by Levente Magyar, state secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

News in Brief

David B. Cornstein to take up post as US ambassador to Hungary next Friday

Jun 14, 2018

“Ambassador Cornstein is excited to begin his work in Hungary and further strengthen the U.S. – Hungary relationship,” a statement said

News in Brief

[VIDEO] FM Szijjártó: We confirmed our strategic alliance with the US

Jun 01, 2018

Watch the video of Hungary's foreign minister stating that Hungary and the United States have strengthened their strategic alliance

News in Brief

FM: Hungary and the US have strengthened their strategic alliance

May 31, 2018

The foreign minister said both the US administration and the Hungarian government give priority to the security of their citizens. “Both governments have made clear that they oppose illegal migration and have acted as close allies in the global fight against terrorism,” the minister said

News in Brief

Foreign minister: Hungary highly values the United States’ efforts in helping to resolve the conflict with Ukraine

May 24, 2018

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, held talks with Wess Mitchell, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian, in Budapest this week

News in Brief

Hungary's FM welcomes American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Budapest with a traditional water cannon salute

May 08, 2018

Minister Szijjártó highlighted that the lack of direct flight connections between the two countries had been a disadvantage for Hungary. However, the latest direct flight routes to the United states will benefit the situation

News in Brief

Foreign ministry official says it is “unbelievable” that a former deputy assistant secretary of state at the US State Department has “insulted” the Hungarian people

Apr 24, 2018

Tamás Menczer said that Thomas O. Melia is [US billionaire] George Soros‘s failed man who had had to leave the US State Department. “It’s unbelievable that he praises Soros but insults the Hungarian people,” he added

News in Brief

Hungarian government teams up with US Department of Energy to hold nuclear workshop

Apr 11, 2018

The Hungarian government partners with the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and the US Department of Energy to hold the Fierce Falcon Workshop

News in Brief

Direct flights from Budapest to the United States to launch this year

Mar 14, 2018

American Airlines will launch a direct service from Philadelphia to Budapest in its summer schedule. Polish Airlines LOT will fly between Budapest and New York and Budapest and Chicago

News in Brief Prime Minister

US Congressional delegation visits Hungary to meet Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other members of the cabinet

Mar 12, 2018

The delegation was headed by Dennis Ross who confirmed his strong commitment to developing closer ties between the two countries

News in Brief

White House announces that President Trump will nominate David B. Cornstein as the next US Ambassador to Hungary

Feb 14, 2018

David B. Cornstein holds degrees from Lafayette College and from New York University, and is due to take up his position within the coming weeks, pending confirmation

News in Brief

White House official urges the renewal of Hungarian-US relations

Feb 13, 2018

Following Zoltán Balog’s official visit to the White House last week, he says Mick Mulvaney, White House Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is urging the renewal of Hungarian-US relations

News in Brief

Relations between Hungary and the United States are heading in the right direction, says US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

Feb 09, 2018

Zoltán Balog quoted Tillerson as saying that a series of new appointments in the State Department had brought about a change in the department’s approach to Hungary

News in Brief

"Extraordinary" Hungarian-Ukrainian-American trilateral meeting to discuss Ukraine Education Act to take place in Paris

Jan 24, 2018

Hungary’s foreign minister will be joined by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell in Paris on Wednesday to hold talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin

News in Brief

Leading US news outlet blasts US interference in Hungary’s parliamentary election

Jan 23, 2018

In a piece written by Peter Roff, titled “Why is the US interfering in Hungary's election?”, he says that given the outcry over alleged Russian interference in the last US presidential election, it's a wonder more people on Capitol Hill are not up in arms over plans to influence the media in Hungary

News in Brief

New United States ambassador to Hungary could arrive in Budapest by late spring or early summer

Jan 22, 2018

President Trump is expected to nominate David Cornstein to serve as the next ambassador to Hungary

News in Brief

Eleven US congressmen pen letter urging State Department to axe funding for independent media outlets in Hungary

Jan 19, 2018

In the letter, Harris denounced actions by the U.S. to fund so-called "opposition media" and said it amounted to meddling in the domestic politics of a democratic ally

News in Brief

Hungary’s foreign minister heralds a new phase in Hungary-US ties

Jan 16, 2018

Minister Szijjártó said that significant changes were afoot at the State Department that would improve relations between the two nations

News in Brief

Congressman asks U.S. State Department to axe funding for independent media outlets in Hungary

Jan 10, 2018

In a letter sent to his colleagues, Republican Andy Harris denounced actions by the U.S. to fund so-called "opposition media" and said it "distorted the record" of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He added that it amounted to meddling in the domestic politics of a democratic ally

Blog

The breathtaking arrogance of that old, State Department elite

Dec 22, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

Recently, the popular, Hungarian weekly Heti Világgazdagság, or HVG, published an interview with Thomas O. Melia, a former deputy state secretary in the US State Department under the Obama Administration. The interview ran under the headline, “Everyone sees what is happening in Hungary.”

News in Brief

Hungary summons US chargé d’affaires over plans to fund local media outlets in Hungary

Nov 15, 2017

The foreign ministry considers the move a political “intervention” ahead of next year’s general election

News in Brief

Delegation travels to Washington to showcase Hungary’s standpoint on security and illegal immigration

Nov 02, 2017

Zoltan Kovács was joined by György Bakondi for three days of talks and briefings with members of the US administration, lawmakers, political analysts and journalists

Blog

That moment when a US diplomat wonders if there is press freedom in Hungary, and an RTL Klub producer has the answer

Oct 19, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

Earlier this week, the chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Budapest delivered remarks on the freedom of the press. The remarks garnered a lot of attention not least because of the senior US diplomat’s very pointed criticisms and assertion that “negative trends are continuing” in the sphere of press freedom in Hungary.

News in Brief

Hungary's FM: V4 and United States are natural allies

Sep 22, 2017

“Despite pressure from the EU, the Visegrád Group is unified with regard to the fact that illegal immigration is a bad thing, and we must protect our citizens from its effects as determinedly as possible," Hungary's foreign minister said

News in Brief

Hungary's FM: Hungary has lowest corporation tax in EU which is attracting American companies

Sep 21, 2017

The minister highlighted how Hungary has the lowest level of corporation tax in the European Union, in addition to which American companies also regard the government’s investor-friendly attitude and investment promotion program as major arguments in favor of Hungary

News in Brief

Hungary's ambassador to the United States meets with President Trump to discuss bilateral relations

Sep 11, 2017

Dr. Szabó met with the president for more than 10-minutes and the pair agreed that it is in the best interest of both countries to further enhance Hungarian-American bilateral relations

News in Brief

Hungary's new ambassador to the United States says Trump administration can help us build better relations

Aug 14, 2017

“The Trump administration is not afraid to say what it thinks, and it is very refreshing that a new spirit has appeared in bilateral ties," Ambassador Szabó said

News in Brief

Hungary welcomes President Trump's "non-interventionist policy"

Jul 17, 2017

"When we root for the US president’s efforts to improve relations with Russia, we don’t do so because we’re pro-Russian or pro-American, but simply because we’re pro-Hungarian," Hungary's foreign minister said. "We must protect the security of the Hungarian people."

News in Brief

US secretary of education: agreement on CEU should be discussed with state-level authorities

Jun 22, 2017

Zoltán Balog welcomed the US secretary’s acknowledgement of the changes in Hungarian regulations and said that Hungarian officials have already taken up contact with the states of Maryland, Massachusetts and New York

News in Brief

Hungary builds relations with the United States

Jun 15, 2017

Mihály Varga, minister for National Economy, met with Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger to discuss economic partnerships and building bilateral relations

News in Brief

Hungary says the world is witnessing the birth of a new United States since President Trump came into power

Jun 07, 2017

Hungary's foreign minister said “we are living in a new world and a new world order”. It is “good news” for Hungary and the rest of the world that US President Donald Trump is putting national interests first

News in Brief

New York Governor steps forward for CEU talks after Hungarian government expresses dismay at initial snub

May 25, 2017

“The Government of Hungary has stated publicly that it can only discuss the future of CEU in Hungary with relevant US authorities, which in this case is the State of New York. The Governor welcomes the opportunity to resolve this matter and to initiate discussions with the Hungarian government without delay,” the New York state governor said

News in Brief

Hungary's government spokesperson meets with members of Congress during four-day visit to Washington D.C.

Apr 28, 2017

Zoltán Kovács held talks with several Republican politicians, and with officials from important think-tanks and research institutes

News in Brief

Hungarian government open to CEU negotiations as Parliament holds session to discuss NGOs

Apr 20, 2017

Meanwhile, Hungary's Parliament is in the middle of a four-day session over the legislation on the transparency of foreign-funded NGOs

News in Brief

President János Áder signs amended law on higher education

Apr 11, 2017

The president signed the bill on Monday, and said he had reviewed the bill’s constitutionality as well as its compliance with international treaties

News in Brief

The United States has become Hungary's number one export market outside the EU

Apr 06, 2017

1,710 American companies are employing some 100,000 people in Hungary, and Dana Hungary Limited’s new 13,000 square meter factory in Győr, which is being built with an investment of 46 million euros, would serve to further reinforce Hungarian-American economic cooperation

News in Brief

PM Orbán says Hungary will sit down with US government to discuss CEU

Apr 04, 2017

PM Orbán said Hungary “will sit down to negotiate with the Americans about what they would like" in relation to CEU

News in Brief

Parliament to debate foreign universities on Wednesday

Apr 03, 2017

Parliament will debate the motion on Wednesday. Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said that the cabinet is ready to open talks with the US Administration regarding CEU

News in Brief

Hungary never closed its borders to migrants says minister

Mar 29, 2017

"Hungary actually never closed its borders to refugees or migrants. Anyone, even in the last two years, who wanted to cross the border legally [could use] border crossing stations. You provide your papers, your passport, and if you don’t have one, you basically play by the rules of the authorities and by the legislation of the EU," Hungary's deputy minster of Foreign Affairs and Trade said

News in Brief

Hungary's foreign minister meets with Trump Administration officials

Mar 23, 2017

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, met members of President Trump’s White House staff in Washington, including: Jason Greenblatt, the United States special representative for International Negotiations as well as ethnic Hungarian advisor Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president for National Security Affairs

News in Brief

Foreign minister opens new Hungarian embassy in Washington

Mar 22, 2017

Minister Szijjártó expressed hope that the opening of the new building would mark the start of new initiatives resulting in a “common success story” with the US

News in Brief Prime Minister

President Trump writes letter of thanks to PM Orbán

Feb 27, 2017

“We are facing challenges, which, it is my belief, we are capable of overcoming jointly, through partnership. However, we also have huge opportunities to move forward towards the achievement of our common goals," President Trump wrote in his letter to PM Orbán

News in Brief

New US administration agrees with Hungary's defense strategy

Feb 20, 2017

“The goals of the new government of the United States confirm the correctness of Hungarian security policy thinking, it became apparent at the 53rd Munich Security Conference (MSC)," Hungary's defense minister said

News in Brief

Hungary and USA share identical positions on fighting terrorism and resolving crises

Feb 16, 2017

Hungary's defense minister said that both the US and Hungary think that “a greater military presence is required in crisis zones and peace should be ensured as soon as possible so that local residents can stay and prosper in their homelands”

News in Brief

Hungarian Ambassador to US has such good relations with Trump administration that other embassies turn to her for advice

Feb 10, 2017

Réka Szemerkényi has met with President Trump three times since his election victory in November and the pair have an enviable relationship

News in Brief

PM Orbán set to meet President Trump at NATO summit in May

Feb 06, 2017

Although there are already plans in motion for the prime minister to visit Washington for an official visit, sources say the prime minister and the US president are set to step to the sidelines of the NATO summit to discuss Hungary-US relations

News in Brief

The United States is set to change its policy toward Hungary

Feb 03, 2017

The Trump Administration is taking the United States in a new direction, which could spell many positive changes for Hungary

News in Brief

Hungary's relationship with Russia has become revered around the world

Feb 02, 2017

"For the first time in years, the international political situation is such that it is having a favorable effect on the development of Hungarian-Russian relations," Hungary's foreign minister said

News in Brief

US ambassador awarded Hungary’s Order of Merit

Jan 19, 2017

Ambassador Bell has served in Hungary since January 2015, and will be leaving her post January 20, 2017

News in Brief

President-elect Donald Trump has a great deal of respect for Hungary

Nov 28, 2016

“During his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, United States President-elect Donald Trump expressed his thanks for Hungary’s support of American Hungarians and also said he had always had great respect for Hungary," Hungary's foreign minister revealed

News in Brief

PM Orbán invited to Washington by President-elect Trump

Nov 25, 2016

“I spoke on the phone with the new U.S. president and I can say that our position has improved remarkably,” PM Orbán said