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Blog

Chancellor Merkel is coming to Hungary to commemorate the Pan-European Picnic

Aug 17, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Chancellor Merkel is coming to Hungary to commemorate the Pan-European Picnic – here’s why that Picnic was so important

News in Brief

State Secretary hits back at commentary piece criticizing PM Orbán and Trump

Aug 06, 2019

State Secretary for International Communications and Relations, Zoltán Kovács has hit back at a commentary piece featured on Project Syndicate which criticizes Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and compares him to President Trump.

Blog

Project Syndicate claims PM Orbán is a role model for President Trump

Aug 02, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Thank you. But what PM Orbán and President Trump have in common has nothing to do with “racist immigration policies” or “how to destroy a democracy”. It’s the respect for the people’s will.

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels

Aug 02, 2019

PM Orbán said they had agreed at the meeting that migrants should not be released into the EU while they are awaiting a decision on asylum. Rather, a humane solution should be found that ensures the safety of citizens. Also, they agreed that migrants who come to the EU illegally should be sent home.

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán in Tusványos: “Das Wesen der illiberalen Demokratie ist der Schutz der christlichen Freiheit“

Jul 30, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Die Liberalen haben die Bedingungen so gesetzt, dass Demokratie nur liberal sein kann. Nach Ministerpräsident Orbán jedoch stimme diese Anforderung, dass christliche Demokratie liberal sein müsse, nicht. Ihr liberaler Internationalismus kann nur dann erfolgreich sein, wenn er universell wird. Und sie lehnen ab, was wir in Ungarn tun, weil ein echtes, funktionsfähiges Modell eines illiberalen Staates zusammenkam, unser eigener christlich-demokratischer Staat.

News in Brief

PM Orbán sees "very difficult" years ahead for European economy

Jul 29, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered yet another groundbreaking speech at the Tusnádfürdő/Băile Tușnad summer camp in Transylvania on Saturday.

Speeches and Remarks

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech at the 30th Bálványos Summer Open University and Student Camp

Jul 29, 2019

27 July 2019, Tusnádfürdő (Băile Tuşnad)

Blog

The 30th Bálványos Open University and Summer Camp

Jul 26, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

It was July 1989. Yes, before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Thirty years ago, a group of visionaries organized the first Bálványos Open University and Summer Camp, and it’s been going ever since. This week, for the 30th installment, students, policy experts, politicians, journalists and even the prime minister gather to share ideas and enjoy summer in the Transylvanian Carpathians.

News in Brief

Tusványos summer camp kicks off today

Jul 23, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been a regular since the beginning and his speeches – traditionally held on Saturday – are the center of attention.

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán: Die Migration wird auch künftig die politischen Debatten bestimmen

Jul 15, 2019

Die Migration bleibt weiterhin die Hauptdebatte in der europäischen Politik, sagte Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán in seinem regelmäßigen Radiointerview am Freitagmorgen. Er sprach auch über den zunehmenden Einfluss der Visegrád-Gruppe in Europa und rief die ungarische Opposition wegen ihres Verhaltens im Europäischen Parlament auf.

Speeches and Remarks

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the Kossuth Radio program “Good Morning Hungary”

Jul 15, 2019

12 July 2019

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

PM Orbán wishes "striker" Justice Minister luck in her new role

Jul 12, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has posted a picture congratulating Judit Varga on her new position as Justice Minister, with the following message: “A new striker joins the team. Good luck, Madam Minister!”

Blog

PM Orbán: You can count on us in the fight for our common values

Jul 10, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

While there have been highs and lows in U.S.-Hungary relations over the past few years, said the prime minister, these times are good, and the United States, he added with emphasis on the NATO relationship, “can count on us in the fight for our common values, whether it be in the meeting rooms or on the battlefields.”

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary and the US uphold and defend the same values

Jul 10, 2019

US ambassador to Hungary David Cornstein said the Prime Minister is a partner and friend and the same can be said about the ties between the two countries.

News in Brief

PM Orbán builds relations with Estonia

Jul 09, 2019

Estonia's Deputy PM considers Hungary and the Visegrad cooperation as examples promoting important European values in debates on the future of the community.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Serious mistakes have been made in the EU over the past few years

Jul 03, 2019

PM Orbán said that although economic policy, migration policy and “respect for the nations” were still problematic issues, the chances to find a solution were much better now.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Frans Timmermans could be rejected solely because he is “George Soros’s man”

Jul 02, 2019

The Prime Minister said the main reason for the Visegrad countries not supporting Timmermans is because “he is a fighter of ideologies and he is against anyone who has a different view of the world.”

Blog

Smoky backroom deals in Berlin, Paris and Brussels

Jul 01, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

It was supposed to be a thing of the past. So-called powerbrokers, self-appointed and unaccountable, conspiring furtively by telephone and in secret meetings to cut deals to dole out positions of power with a cynical disregard for the will of the voters.

News in Brief

PM Orbán attends inauguration ceremony for new police officers

Jul 01, 2019

PM Orbán said if police officers perform their service in a committed manner, Hungary will continue to remain one of Europe’s safest countries.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: EPP would be making “historic mistake” in helping Frans Timmermans become EC president

Jul 01, 2019

The Hungarian government would regard the appointment of Frans Timmermans as European Commission president “unacceptable”, a government official said, adding the reason why was that the candidate was backed by the Social Democrats and George Soros.

News in Brief

PM Orbán nominates Judit Varga as new Minister of Justice

Jun 27, 2019

Under Varga the Justice Ministry will assume the tasks related to the country’s European Union affairs, previously with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

News in Brief

Joe Eszterhas spotted in PM Orbán-themed shirt

Jun 26, 2019

Joe Eszterhas was spotted wearing a stylish shirt adorned with a pattern showing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s face.

News in Brief

PM Orbán strengthens ties between Hungary and Republika Srpska

Jun 19, 2019

PM Orbán said Budapest and Banja Luka, the capital of the Serb Republic, will also work to establish intensive political and economic ties.

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets Ethiopian Christian leaders in Budapest

Jun 19, 2019

Talks focused on the impacts of migration on Europe and Africa, and the persecution of Christians.

News in Brief

Government to ensure Hungary’s energy demands from two main sources: nuclear power and renewable sources

Jun 18, 2019

During a Q&A session in Parliament, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary needs the capacity expansion of its only nuclear plant in Paks in order to meet its climate goals.

News in Brief

PM Orbán leads Hungary's rememberance of 1956 martyrs

Jun 17, 2019

Across Hungary and in particular Budapest, the 30th anniversary of the reburial of 1956 martyr Prime Minister Imre Nagy was marked with an outdoors concert on Heroes’ Square.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: European political groupings are in the process of being formed

Jun 14, 2019

PM Orbán said an attempt would be made to maintain the European People’s Party as the party of Helmut Kohl. This grouping would respect nations, place primacy on Christianity and give proper weight to the interests central Europeans.

News in Brief

V4 leaders meet in Budapest

Jun 14, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Andrej Babiš of the Czech Republic, Mateusz Morawieczki of Poland and Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia met in Budapest on Thursday.

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Budapest

Jun 06, 2019

During their meeting, the pair discussed illegal migration and bilateral ties in the areas of the economy, education and culture.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Together we will again be great, successful and victorious

Jun 05, 2019

To mark National Cohesion Day, the Prime Minister said Hungarians had not only survived but they are now the largest nation in the Carpathian Basin.

News in Brief

PM Orbán "shaken" when he heard news of Wednesday night’s horrific boat crash

May 31, 2019

The PM has asked for a comprehensive, strict and thorough investigation in the case, adding that “we want to know exactly what happened and why” and the public will be informed about the results.

News in Brief

PM Orbán congratulated by leaders of all EU Member States over phenomenal EP election results

May 31, 2019

“Hungarians commanded respect at the EP election and were granted that respect,” the Prime Minister said.

News in Brief

PM Orbán receives Professor Peterson at Carmelite Monastery

May 30, 2019

The PM and Professor Peterson discussed current political issues such as illegal immigration, which they both described as unnecessary and dangerous.

News in Brief

PM Orbán sends condolences to South Korea following Budapest boat tragedy

May 30, 2019

“In our thoughts and prayers, we are with the family members of the victims and the South Korean people in these most difficult moments,” PM Orbán said.

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.

Blog

EP elections 2019: the Visegrad Group sends a clear message about the future of the EU

May 29, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

With its sweeping victory on Sunday, the Fidesz-KDNP alliance led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán secured 13 seats in the European Parliament. But that’s not all. The large victory margin amid record-high turnout reflected an important trend throughout the Visegrad Group.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary is one of the three most dynamic economies in the EU

May 28, 2019

The Prime Minister said that while the outlook of Western European economies is “not that rosy”, Hungary stands a good chance to maintain a GDP growth rate two percentage points above the EU average.

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán: Bei einer Rekord-Wahlbeteiligung haben wir einen Rekordsieg erreicht

May 27, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Das Regierungsbündnis von Ministerpräsident Viktor Orban, FIDESZ-KDNP, beherrschte heute die Wahlen zum Europäischen Parlament in Ungarn, gewann 52,14 Prozent der Stimmen und sicherte sich somit 13 Sitze im Europäischen Parlament.

News in Brief

Hungarian parties’ social media response to EP election results

May 27, 2019

A closer look at the social media reactions of Hungarian parties to the result of Sunday’s European Parliament elections.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungarians think that change is needed in Brussels

May 27, 2019

“We all know that the migration wave launched the beginning of a new era in European politics, so we can safely say that we’ve achieved an epochal victory,” the Prime Minister said.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: I want the EPP to win the European Parliament elections

May 24, 2019

“I want the EPP to win the European Parliament election, but afterwards there will be a debate on the direction it takes,” the Prime Minister said.

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets ACN Director to discuss migrant crisis

May 23, 2019

PM Orbán said the best method of Christian aid is to do everything possible for peace on the ground, in conflict-ridden regions. Those who come to Europe will never return

News in Brief

PM Orbán sends out encouraging message to voters across the country

May 23, 2019

PM Orbán has published a series of social media posts in the run up to the EP elections on Sunday. “It’s only four days left. Go for it!”

Blog

German businessman in Die Welt: Orbán is hardly ever applauded for tackling illegal migration

May 22, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

We need more politicians like Viktor Orbán, according to this German business leader.

News in Brief

Hungary hits back at Washington Post column

May 22, 2019

International spokesman Zoltán Kovács has lashed out at a Washington Post column belittling Hungary.

Blog

Postcard from Washington: “It was a good day for Hungary”

May 21, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Despite the concerted efforts to derail it.

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

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán: „Wir sind diejenigen, die die Migration an der südlichen Grenze Europas erfolgreich gestoppt haben“

May 20, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

“Wir sollten die unüberhörbare Botschaft vermitteln, dass wir Veränderung wollen“, sagte Ministerpräsident Orbán in Bezug auf die Wahlen zum Europäischen Parlament am 26. Mai. „Wir wollen ein Europa, das seine Grenzen zu Land und zu Wasser schützt.“

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Christians, Hungarians in particular, must always be ready to defend their faith, country and family

May 20, 2019

“It is important for our economy to be strong. It is important for our young people to be smart, and to stand their ground in competition," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán encourages Hungarians to take a larger slice of the food industry

May 17, 2019

PM Orbán said that Hungarian businesses should strive to capture a larger part of the profits generated in the food industry

Blog

PM Orbán: “We are the ones who successfully stopped migration at the southern border of Europe”

May 17, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

“We should send a strong message that we want change,” Prime Minister Orbán said, referring to the European Parliamentary elections on May 26th. “We want a Europe that protects its borders on land and sea.”

News in Brief

PM Orbán strengthens ties with Czech Republic

May 16, 2019

PM Orbán and President Zeman agreed that the two countries are strategic partners and pointed out that last year Czech-Hungarian trade reached a record high

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Trump meeting outcome was a good day for Hungary

May 15, 2019

"President Trump knew everything he had to know about Hungary and his goal was to forge a good cooperation between Hungary and the United States. I think we have done a lot today in that sense. It was a meeting with an excellent atmosphere, based on mutual respect," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

Hungary buys Renoir nude for Museum of Fine Arts

May 15, 2019

Hungary has bought French impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s (1841-1919) Nude Lady Resting painting for HUF 3.5 billion, unveiled by PM Orbán

News in Brief

PM Orbán's 2015 speech is probably the most important by a Western statesman this century, says academic

May 15, 2019

Christopher Caldwell points out that the speech PM Orbán made before an annual picnic for his party’s intellectual leaders in the late summer of 2015 is probably the most important by a Western statesman this century

News in Brief

Former US Ambassador to Hungary: PM Orbán’s US talks will mark the end of Hungary's isolation

May 13, 2019

April Foley has highlighted how Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s upcoming talks in the United States “will mark the end of a decade-long period of high-level diplomatic isolation of Hungary”

News in Brief

PM Orbán pushes forward with Paks nuclear plant expansion

May 13, 2019

PM Orbán said the expansion will significantly increase Hungary’s energy supply security and independence while also contributing to the country achieving its climate protection goals

News in Brief

Győr women’s handball team wins third consecutive Champions’ League

May 13, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote on his Facebook page: “Congratulations to the Queens of Handball! The girls of Győr have done it again!”

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Europe should adopt the Austrian model where the center-right and right cooperate

May 10, 2019

"The problem of the European elite is that they do not believe in the power of the individual, the leader. They regard leaders who are able to inspire the people as dangerous," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Europe must be able to defend itself

May 10, 2019

Leaders of the European Union have adopted the Sibiu Declaration, a document outlining the leaders' commitment to "one Europe (...) united, through thick and thin"

Blog

PM Orbán in Transylvania: We need a Europe that can ensure the safe future of our children

May 10, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

At an informal EU summit in Nagyszeben/Sibiu yesterday, the 27 heads of state and government adopted the Sibiu Declaration emphasizing the bloc’s commitment to “one Europe…united, through thick and thin”. While most leaders were busy coming to such general conclusions, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – in his characteristic straight talk – spoke in detail about migration and the future of Europe as we know it.

Blog

PM Orbán’s upcoming meeting with President Trump: here’s what to expect

May 10, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

“Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s working visit to Washington on May 13th, during which he will be received by U.S. President Donald Trump, will be extremely significant,” Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at a recent press conference in Brussels.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Migration top issue of EP elections

May 09, 2019

PM Orbán said political thought about migration has been split into two distinct directions: the West is looking at ways to "live together", Central Europe is looking at what to do in order to avoid being forced to live together with migrants

Blog

PM Orbán withdraws Hungary’s support for Weber: Let’s remember who said what

May 08, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

“For us, Group Leader Weber would have also been a good Commission president,” Prime Minister Orbán said at the press conference yesterday, “but [Weber] announced that not only does he not need the Hungarian votes but he does not want to become Commission president with the support of Hungarian votes.”

News in Brief

Hungarian government withdraws support for Manfred Weber's EC President candidacy

May 07, 2019

PM Orbán said “Hungary’s government and its head” cannot be in the position to support a European Commission presidential candidate who has announced that he does not want the vote of Hungarians

News in Brief

PM Orbán holds talks with Austria's Vice Chancellor in Budapest

May 07, 2019

"Prime Minister Viktor Orbán deserves thanks for the responsible manner in which the country defended the European borders at the peak of the migration crisis," Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache said

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán an eine österreichische Tageszeitung: Europa sollte das österreichische Modell übernehmen, bei dem sich die Mitte-Rechts-Partei mit der Rechten verbündet

May 06, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Ministerpräsident Orbán wird heute Nachmittag in Budapest mit dem Vorsitzenden der Freiheitlichen Partei Österreichs, Heinz-Christian Strache, zusammenkommen. Vor dem Treffen sprach der Premierminister in einem exklusiven Interview mit der österreichischen Zeitung "Kleine Zeitung" über die Beziehungen zwischen Ungarn und Österreich, über Liberalismus, Europapolitik und Migration. Hier einige Highlights:

News in Brief

FM: PM Orbán meeting with Trump will focus on migration

May 06, 2019

Péter Szijjártó said the meeting will also include discussions surrounding bilateral political, economic and defense cooperation

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán über Matteo Salvini: Sein Erfolg bei der Bekämpfung der illegalen Einwanderung liegt in unserem Interesse

May 05, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

„Auf dem Weg nach Ungarn, um ein neues Europa aufzubauen“, twitterte heute Morgen Matteo Salvini, Innenminister und Stellvertretender Ministerpräsident von Italien.

News in Brief

PM Orbán pushes forward with self-driving vehicle test track

May 03, 2019

PM Orbán met with Heinz Hermann Thiele, honorary chairman of the supervisory board of Germany’s Knorr-Bremse AG to discuss the implementation of the self-driving vehicle test track at Zalegerszeg

News in Brief

PM Orbán to meet President Trump on May 13th

May 03, 2019

The talks will touch on the region’s security, energy supply, the two countries’ bilateral ties and defense cooperation

News in Brief

PM Orbán inspects border fence with Italy's Deputy PM

May 03, 2019

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini kicked off his visit to Hungary on Thursday by inspecting the fence on the country’s Serbian border with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

Blog

PM Orbán: With Matteo Salvini we “proved that it’s not true that migration can’t be stopped”

May 03, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

In his Friday morning interview on Kossuth radio, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán touched upon yesterday’s visit of Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Matteo Salvini, the Eastern Opening policy and the upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump later this month.

News in Brief

Hungary celebrates 15th anniversary of EU membership

May 02, 2019

Yesterday marked not only Labor Day but the 15th anniversary of Hungary’s European Union membership

News in Brief

PM Orbán urges people to vote for anti-migration politicans in EP elections

May 02, 2019

“We need to elect leaders who will not allow settlings in Europe and will prevent Europe from becoming a continent of migrants. Pro-migration politicians must be voted out and anti-migration politicians must be brought to Brussels," the prime minister said

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Everyone should understand the need of mutual respect for the cultural, religious and political traditions of nations

Apr 29, 2019

PM Orbán said the valuable political lessons of the past decade could offer a basis for developing responses to the challenges of a new world order

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary needs an open world economy

Apr 25, 2019

PM Orbán is in Beijing attending the second One Belt, One Road Forum and is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping

News in Brief

PM Orbán visits Kazakhstan en route to China

Apr 24, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made a stopover in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan on his way to the second Belt and Road Forum in China

News in Brief

PM Orbán sends Hungary's condolences to Sri Lanka following Easter bombings

Apr 23, 2019

“On behalf of the Hungarian people, I wish to offer my sincere condolences to relatives of the victims, and wish the hundreds of people who were injured in these base attacks a swift recovery,” PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán congratulates Volodymyr Zelensky on becoming Ukraine’s new president

Apr 23, 2019

The prime minister stressed that the Hungarian government will continue to work for the development of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations

News in Brief

PM Orbán visits family of one millionth ethnic Hungarian to receive citizenship

Apr 18, 2019

In 2010, when the ruling Fidesz party came to power, one of their first measures was to significantly simplify the process of granting Hungarian citizenship

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary supports Serbia’s EU membership bid

Apr 16, 2019

The prime minister said Hungary supports Serbia’s drive for European Union membership after the fifth joint Hungarian-Serbian cabinet meeting

News in Brief

More than half a million signatures already collected in support of PM Orban’s new program

Apr 15, 2019

During an interview on Kossuth Radio. Fidesz group leader Máté Kocsis said the signature drive will continue with the help of some 20,000 activists

News in Brief

PM Orbán posts picture of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday

Apr 15, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted a picture of Jerusalem on his Instagram account on Palm Sunday to reflect his world view on religion

News in Brief

PM Orbán attends China-CEE summit in Croatia

Apr 12, 2019

PM Orbán will also have a bilateral meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the event

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Migration has caused a cultural crisis in Europe

Apr 10, 2019

PM Orbán said those Europeans who think that people coming from the Islamic world will not bring the laws, customs and conflicts specific to this culture for centuries are deceiving themselves

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán über die EU-Wahlen: ‚Wir müssen entscheiden, ob wir unser christliches Europa schützen oder uns dem Multikulti ergeben‘

Apr 09, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Mit dem offiziellen Start der Kampagne für die Wahlen zum Europäischen Parlament hat Premier Viktor Orbán seinen sieben Punkte umfassenden Aktionsplan vorgestellt, der nach den Wahlen in Gang gesetzt werden soll.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Christianity is the cornerstone holding together the edifice of European civilization

Apr 08, 2019

"We Hungarians believe that Christian culture is not the source of just one, but of all power, the cornerstone holding together the edifice of European civilization", PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán and foreign minister build bridges in Africa with official visit to Cape Verde

Mar 28, 2019

The foreign minister said Africa will make a significant contribution to global economic growth in the coming period and called it “the continent of the future”

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán: Man sollte der Kommission die Migration und den Grenzschutz wegnehmen und sie den nationalen Regierungen zurückgeben

Mar 28, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán schloss sich am Wochenende im Rahmen der Veranstaltung „Budapest Summit on Migration“ der Meinung anderer prominenter politischer Persönlichkeiten an, einschließlich des ehemaligen französischen Präsidenten Nicolas Sarkozy, und meinte, die Zuständigkeit für Migration und Grenzschutz sollte den EU-Mitgliedstaaten zurückgegeben, und an einen unabhängigen Rat der EU-Innenminister delegiert werden.

Blog

The Fidesz-EPP relationship: 5 points you should know

Mar 27, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

There’s been lot of chatter lately in international media about Fidesz’s “suspension” in the European People’s Party (EPP). While we have seen an abundance of different explanations and interpretations of the “conflict”, most of these relied heavily on misinformation and serious factual errors. Here are five key points you should know.

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán: "Wir sind nicht bereit, das zu tun, was Brüssel uns diktiert, wenn es für die Ungarn nicht gut ist."

Mar 27, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Mit aufrichtigen Kommentaren zu der allmählichen Verschiebung der Europäischen Volkspartei nach links und die ununterbrochenen Bemühungen um eine Einwanderungsagenda in Brüssel forderte Ministerpräsident Orbán die Wähler auf, sich bei den Wahlen zum Europäischen Parlament am 26. Mai in großer Zahl teilzunehmen, und erklärte, dass Ungarn dem Druck nicht nachgeben darf.

News in Brief

PM Orbán calls for swift action to be taken on migration and border protection

Mar 25, 2019

“If European policymakers fail to make decisions immediately, then it will be impossible to stop later what has already begun,” the prime minister said

News in Brief

PM Orbán urges Hungarians to take part in EP election on May 26th

Mar 25, 2019

"We are not going to follow the dictates of Brussels if they are no good for Hungarians,” the prime minister said

News in Brief

PM Orbán will be joined by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy at migration conference

Mar 22, 2019

The MCC Budapest Summit on Migration, organized by Mathias Corvinus Collegium, runs from Friday through to Sunday

Blog

Man soll die Frage der Migration von der Europäischen Kommission wegnehmen, sagt Ministerpräsident Orbán

Mar 22, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Der Ministerpräsident hat die Aufstellung eines neuen Europäischen Rates der Innenminister gefordert, der in Sachen Migration und Schengen-Raum die Verantwortung übernimmt, ein starkes Gremium, das diese Angelegenheiten als Sachverständiger und nicht als Politiker behandeln würde.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Three wise men will decide the future of Fidesz and EPP

Mar 21, 2019

The PM said Hungary’s goal is for a strong Europe, a strong European Union, its immigration policy and its priority to protect Europe’s Christian culture

News in Brief

PM Orbán accepts Bavaria’s offer of scientific cooperation with CEU

Mar 21, 2019

Florian Herrmann, the Bavarian minister of state for EU and media affairs, told Süddeutsche Zeitung that the Munich Technical University (TUM) would fund two faculties on democracy and governance at CEU

News in Brief

Fidesz voluntarily suspends EPP membership

Mar 21, 2019

PM Orbán called the decision a good one, saying that "we ourselves voted for it" and said the EPP had succeeded in maintaining its unity

Blog

Man soll die Frage der Migration von der Europäischen Kommission wegnehmen, sagt Ministerpräsident Orbán

Mar 20, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Der Ministerpräsident hat die Aufstellung eines neuen Europäischen Rates der Innenminister gefordert, der in Sachen Migration und Schengen-Raum die Verantwortung übernimmt, ein starkes Gremium, das diese Angelegenheiten als Sachverständiger und nicht als Politiker behandeln würde.

Blog

Ministerpräsident Orbán: “Ohne die christliche Kultur wird es in Europa kein freies Leben geben“

Mar 18, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

“Ohne die Verteidigung unserer christlichen Kultur verlieren wir Europa, und Europa wird nicht mehr den Europäern gehören“, sagte der ungarische Ministerpräsident heute. In seiner Festrede anlässlich des 171. Jahrestages der Revolution von 1848/49 in Ungarn sprach der Ministerpräsident auch über die ungarische nationale Einheit und eine "mitteleuropäische Renaissance."

News in Brief

The debate on ruling Fidesz’s membership in the EPP is about immigration, says official

Mar 13, 2019

Gergely Gulyás said Weber and Orbán shared the intention that Fidesz should remain an EPP member, with the two sides having an interest in an agreement

News in Brief

PM Orbán reaches compromise with Weber over EPP debate

Mar 13, 2019

Magyar Nemzet columnist Ferenc Kis writes that the EPP needs Fidesz more than Fidesz needs the EPP, and is probably the most accurate summary of Manfred Weber's visit to Budapest

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary offers young people “a safe country and a secure future”

Mar 12, 2019

Wages are growing dynamically in one of the safest countries in Europe. “We do not have migrants or terrorist attacks but have work, home and security,” the PM said

News in Brief

PM Orbán builds relations with Laos

Mar 12, 2019

The PM said political ties with Laos “have been elevated to the level of strategic partnership"

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets Manfred Weber to discuss EPP

Mar 12, 2019

The prime minister has met Manfred Weber today to smooth over the differences between the EPP and Hungary's ruling Fidesz

Blog

Take the issue of migration away from the European Commission, says Prime Minister Orbán

Mar 11, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

The prime minister has called for setting up a new European council of ministers of interior to take responsibility for migration and Schengen Area issues, a strong body that would handle these matters as experts, rather than politicians.

Blog

PM Orbán at NATO anniversary in Warsaw: “If we do not take help where it is needed, then the problems will come to us”

Mar 11, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

The role of NATO will be enhanced due to Europe’s fragile security, said Prime Minister Orbán on Sunday, as he thanked the Visegrád countries for their help defending the southern borders of Hungary from illegal migration. The PM was speaking at a celebration in Wesoła, Poland, marking the twentieth anniversary of the accession to NATO of Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, and the fifteenth anniversary of Slovakia’s joining the alliance.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: NATO is being increasingly appreciated in light of Europe’s “fragile security”

Mar 11, 2019

The prime minister thanked the other Visegrad countries for helping to protect Hungary’s southern borders from illegal migrants

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Fidesz is and wishes to remain a member of the EPP

Mar 08, 2019

"With the approaching European elections the campaign fever is understandable, but what we need now is to take it easy and keep calm," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán welcomes Emmanuel Macron's proposal to start discussions on reforming the EU

Mar 06, 2019

"This could mark the beginning of a serious European debate... In the details, of course, we have differences of views, but far more important than these differing opinions is that this initiative will be a good start to a serious and constructive dialogue on the future of Europe," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

EPP member parties take a stance for Fidesz

Mar 06, 2019

EPP parties say Fidesz' expulsion would weaken the positions of the group in the European Parliament and send a negative message to voters just weeks before the EP elections

News in Brief

PM Orbán: The European Commission should be stripped of migration as a policy area

Mar 04, 2019

The prime minister said a new professional body under the authority of Schengen-zone interior ministers should take over the responsibility of migration

Speeches and Remarks

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s interview with Welt am Sonntag

Mar 03, 2019

March 3, 2019

Blog

PM Orbán in Welt am Sonntag: ‘Immigration is the sole cause of the strain in relations’ within the EU

Mar 03, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

And “we insist on the right of nation states to defend themselves. Germans have a different philosophy,” Prime Minister Orbán added.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Migration will transform the world

Feb 28, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that global migration will fundamentally transform the world in the coming decades and those countries that do not defend themselves today, will be unable to do so by 2050 and 2060

News in Brief

PM Orbán holds talks with Youssef Absi, the patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church

Feb 27, 2019

The Hungarian government aims to assist Christian communities via its Hungary Helps humanitarian program

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Migration tensions will only intensify

Feb 26, 2019

During the historic first Arab League-EU summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the prime minister pledged to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism and to tackle unauthorized migration

News in Brief

PM Orbán announces that Hungary will open a trade mission in Jerusalem

Feb 20, 2019

Netanyahu thanked PM Orbán for Hungary's support of Israel in international forums such as the European Union and the United Nations

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary’s goal is for the world’s major powers to have an interest in its economic success

Feb 15, 2019

The PM said the Obama administration assigned less importance to central Europe, but President Trump’s administration paid closer attention to the region

News in Brief

Two-thirds of Hungarians approve of government’s new family assistance measures

Feb 14, 2019

According to the Nézőpont Institute, 63 percent of 541 people surveyed expressed satisfaction with the planned measures

News in Brief

PM Orbán to propose György Matolcsy for second term as NBH governor

Feb 13, 2019

Matolcsy’s six-year mandate as National Bank of Hungary governor ends on March 3rd, 2019 and he will receive the prime minister's support for a second term

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Budapest

Feb 12, 2019

During his visit, Pompeo also met with Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Tibor Benkő, Minister of Defense

News in Brief

PM Orbán inaugurates 33 billion HUF wheat starch plant in Visonta

Feb 12, 2019

“We would give more [state grant money] to other towns and villages if there were more strategies and more entrepreneurial spirit," the prime minister said

News in Brief

PM Orbán announces seven-point family protection action plan

Feb 11, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made his highly anticipated state-of-the-nation address in Budapest yesterday

News in Brief

PM Orbán: No major EU decisions should be made before EP elections

Feb 08, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with the Visegrad Group prime ministers and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Bratislava on Thursday

News in Brief

Hungary becomes one of the main swimming centers worldwide

Feb 08, 2019

Budapest has become one of the most important international centers and biggest supporters of water sports in the world

News in Brief

PM Orbán attends V4 meeting with Angela Merkel

Feb 07, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the Visegrad Group heads of state summit along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Bratislava today

News in Brief

PM Orbán: The countries of Europe must recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela

Feb 01, 2019

The ruling Fidesz party is in complete agreement with the Spanish People's Party over the situation in Venezuela

News in Brief

PM Orbán: There are no problems in Hungary’s relations with the United States of America

Jan 30, 2019

PM Orbán said the purpose of recent false media reports has been to create confusion before the upcoming visit to Budapest by the US Secretary of State

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets with IIB’s President to discuss establishment of new HQ in Budapest

Jan 29, 2019

IIB member states unanimously voted to relocate the bank’s headquarters to Hungary and authorized the bank to sign the relevant accord at a board meeting last December

News in Brief

PM Orbán: The EP’s debate on the rule of law in Hungary will be a “George Soros-type seance"

Jan 25, 2019

The prime minister said he had always fought for “the Hungarian national interest” but he would not aid and abet next week’s “pro-migration campaign event” in Brussels

News in Brief

PM Orbán expresses his regret over fire at Ráday Dormitory Budapest after person dies

Jan 24, 2019

In a letter to Bishop István Szabó, the prime minister offered help to the Reformed Church to restore the damaged building

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary will finance three Syrian hospitals for a year

Jan 23, 2019

"Hungary is committed to helping the communities and families in need in the Middle East and would like to contribute to the effort of relieving the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the war," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán congratulates Markus Söder on CSU win

Jan 22, 2019

"You can continue to count on my personal and the (Hungarian) government's support," PM Orbán said

News in Brief

PM Orbán pays his respects to Andy Vajna who has passed away at the age of 75

Jan 21, 2019

Andy Vajna was the man behind the first three Rambo movies, Evita, Red Heat, Total Recall and Air America

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Immigration will be the defining issue of the next 15-20 years in Europe

Jan 11, 2019

The prime minister said Hungary can be proud that it was the first country to prove that migration can be stopped on land, and for a long time not even countries with maritime borders attempted to achieve such a feat

News in Brief

PM Orbán holds talks with leaders of Brazil and Israel

Jan 03, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has held bilateral talks with new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and held discussions with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu

News in Brief

PM Orbán is one of Hungary’s top social media influencers

Jan 02, 2019

According to Index.hu, the prime minister has an important voice when it comes to migration, sports, food, religion and culture

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Europe will be stable and successful only if it remains European

Dec 27, 2018

The prime minister said migration is an issue that concerns the entire continent and it will be in the focus of the election campaign everywhere

News in Brief

PM Orbán: Hungary will be a winner in the 21st century

Dec 27, 2018

"A historical situation will develop in which Hungary is fighting not only for itself but also for Christian Europe,” PM Orbán said

Blog

PM Orbán: There’s a difference between vandalism and expressing a political opinion

Dec 21, 2018

“A difference should be drawn,” said Prime Minister Orbán this morning, “between vandalism, violence and expressing a political opinion.” In his regular radio interview, the prime minister also spoke about the upcoming European Parliamentary elections in April, the EU-Africa Summit, and the new rules in the Labor Code.

News in Brief

PM Orbán heads to EU-Africa forum to push the "Hungarian Strategy"

Dec 19, 2018

“Our position is that help must be taken to Africa rather than problems being brought to Europe, especially not to Hungary,” the prime minister said

News in Brief

PM Orbán pays his respects to President George H.W. Bush at the US embassy in Budapest

Dec 07, 2018

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has written a message of condolence in a book opened for President George H.W. Bush at the US embassy in Budapest

Blog

PM Orbán: “They want to take away from us the keys to the gate”

Sep 14, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

“Angela Merkel has said that the plan is that part of the border control should be handed over from frontier states to Brussels,” said Prime Minister Orbán this morning, “which means that “they want to take away from us the keys to the gate.”

News in Brief

PM Orbán will again address this year’s Bálványos Summer University in Băile Tușnad

Jul 18, 2018

The head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee said it's being organized “at a key time of political stability” in Hungary

Speeches and Remarks

Orbán Viktor’s ceremonial speech on the 170th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848

Mar 21, 2018

15 March 2018, Budapest

Blog

How Fantastic

Feb 01, 2018 - Mária Schmidt

This newspaper, apparently the authoritative daily of the business world, set out to decipher Orbán’s secret with the intent of revealing to its readers Viktor Orbán’s real nature and his “illiberal democracy”.

Blog

Here’s how the Financial Times missed the story – again

Jan 26, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Yesterday, the Financial Times published a long feature entitled, “The rise and rise of Viktor Orbán.”

News in Brief

PM Orbán says “Hungary will never be an immigrant country"

Sep 19, 2017

The prime minister categorized states as either “immigrant” or “non-immigrant countries” in terms of their approach to migration. He also spoke of Hungary's recovering economy and the rise in employment

News in Brief

PM Orbán will travel to Warsaw on September 22 to meet with Poland's prime minister

Sep 19, 2017

Hungary and Poland have a close relationship, and there are many pressing topics that could be on the agenda during the talks, from the migrant crisis to Ukraine's education law impacting minorities

News in Brief

PM Orbán: The government wants “a Hungarian Hungary and a European Europe”

Sep 18, 2017

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says “immigrant countries” constitute the biggest threat to European values and migrants coming to Europe endanger the freedom of religion, women’s equality and the fight against anti-Semitism

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets with British Chancellor of the Exchequer to preserve economic cooperation and to encourage a smooth Brexit

Sep 15, 2017

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has held talks with British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond as well as the British politician meeting ministers from the Visegrad Group

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

PM Orbán holds independent talks with leaders from Greece, Turkey and Croatia to discuss bilateral relations and the EU

Sep 13, 2017

The leaders discussed the most important challenges facing Europe and how best to build bilateral relations

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets with head of ETUC to discuss the enforcement of social rights in Europe and the directive on posted workers

Sep 11, 2017

The prime minister said that the Visegrád Group has taken a stand against the European Commission’s proposed revision of rules on posted workers and rejected charges of “social dumping”

Blog

These Western leaders are beginning to sound like PM Orbán on migration

Sep 05, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

Recently, following his meeting with Irish PM Leo Varadkar Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau ‘sounded the alarm’ on the growing number of immigrants entering Canada. Although “Canada is an opening and welcoming society,” Prime Minister Trudeau said, “we are also a country of laws” and “there are rigorous immigration and customs rules that will be followed. Make no mistake”.

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 Viktor Orbán’s press conference after the meeting of the European Council

Jun 27, 2017

23 June 2017, Brussels

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán: Hungary's second line of defense will guarantee the security of Hungarians for a long time

Apr 28, 2017

The 155-kilometer long fortified fence which is being inaugurated today is up to the job of “keeping out any kind of mass of people," PM Orbán said during an interview on Radio Kossuth today

News in Brief

CEU is not being singled out, according to the Guardian editorial

Apr 21, 2017

Perhaps CEU should adhere to its own principles and comply with the law, according to an editorial published in the Guardian newspaper.

Blog

PM Orbán addressing state of the nation: “Tomorrow doesn’t cast a shadow on today”

Feb 11, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

At the forefront of the West’s revolt against political correctness, Hungary is prevailing

News in Brief

PM Orbán meets Socialist Party's PM candidate to sign cooperation agreement to develop Szeged

Jan 31, 2017

PM Orbán met with Szeged Mayor László Botka to sign a cooperation agreement as part of the Modern Cities Program. PM Orbán said that “Szeged has all the capabilities needed to become an outstanding regional center”

Blog

PM Orbán: 2017 will be the “year of rebellion”

Jan 16, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

We have seen a fundamental shift in global politics in recent months. Positions and policies are moving in a different direction, changing in response to public outcry and voter dissatisfaction. The old guard are being taken to task.

News in Brief

PM Orbán: The American people should decide their next President

Oct 18, 2016

"Viktor Orbán has not said that he supports Donald Trump. This should be the decision of the American people," Bertalan Havasi said