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CORONAVIRUS: Here's the latest

A regularly updated feed of the latest information about coronavirus in Hungary.

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PM Orbán: Hungary’s vaccination capacity is far beyond the number of doses arriving from the EU

Prime Minister Orbán said that Hungary has so far inoculated 105,728 people, and the number of newly confirmed infected is on the decline, with a rising number of those who have recovered from the coronavirus.

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Is Brussels failing the COVID vaccine challenge?

So, what’s really happening? Has the EU reserved enough vaccines? Did they arrive late to the party? Why does the supply seem so unreliable? These are just a few of the tough questions for Brussels.

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WaPo, the failed opposition leader and a story of blatant hypocrisy

“Independent” MP Bernadett Szél, former leader of LMP (the failed green-liberal party in Hungary) and 2018 opposition prime minister candidate, can’t sleep at night worried about “populists,” forgets about her own violent demonstrations.

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PM Orbán: Restrictions to stay in force until February

Only a few vaccines have been received so far to vaccinate just 80,000 people, and the virus situation in Europe remains serious, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said, explaining why the current epidemiological measures had been extended until February 1.

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PM Orbán on Kossuth Rádió: We have stopped the second wave of the coronavirus, now the task is to prevent a third one from starting

In his first 2021 radio interview, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán detailed the government’s vaccination plan and its prognosis of the coronavirus pandemic and also talked about how the Hungarian economy will shift gears in the coming decade.

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Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's response to Manfred Weber

Samizdat No.5.

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United States of America

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FM: Hungary will promote US Middle East policy in the European Union

Sep 17, 2020

Minister Szijjártó was the only EU foreign minister to attend the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

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FM: Hungary continues to support efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East

Sep 14, 2020

The foreign minister said it was an “honor” that Hungary has received a ministerial-level invitation for the signing of the agreement to be held in the White House garden next Tuesday.

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News in Brief Prime Minister

President Trump praises PM Orbán’s anti-migration efforts

May 14, 2019

“I would like to express that we are proud to stand together with the United States in the fight against illegal migration, terrorism and to protect and help the Christian communities around the world,” PM Orbán said

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FM signs cooperation agreement with Ohio to provide hundreds of jobs for Hungarians

Apr 04, 2019

Péter Szijjártó held talks with US company heads on Wednesday and signed the memorandum of understanding on Hungary-Ohio economic cooperation with Director of the Ohio Development Services Agency Lydia Mihalik

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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

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Blog

US Sec State Pompeo in Budapest: “Americans and Hungarians have always stood together in the pursuit of freedom, and that tradition continues today”

Feb 11, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Budapest today. His was the first visit to Hungary of a secretary of state in eight years. It comes at a time when the relationship between Hungary and the United States is bearing fruit in areas that mean a lot to our two countries.

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Atlantic Council leader emphasizes the need to further strengthen Hungary’s alliance with the United States

Dec 04, 2018

Damon Wilson said the two countries must further strengthen their military alliance and work together to help integrate Hungary’s neighbors with western democracies

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President Áder sends Hungary’s condolences to US over death of former US President George H.W. Bush

Dec 03, 2018

The president said he was deeply saddened by learning of the death of the US’s 41st president, calling him a “highly regarded statesman"

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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"

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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"

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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

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FM: Hungary will continue its policy of supporting Christian communities in the Middle East

Jul 27, 2018

In the past two years they have spent 4.5 billion HUF on supporting Christian communities in the Middle East so that they do not have to leave their homes, the foreign minister revealed

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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President Trump stresses importance of border defense in call with PM Orbán

Jun 18, 2018

The US president encouraged PM Orbán to strongly defend Hungary’s southern border. The prime minister reassured the president that Hungary is committed to continuing its current migration policy and will defend its borders

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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

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Hungary's FM urges Europe, the US and China to sign fair trade agreement to prevent global trade war

Jun 08, 2018

The foreign minister said Hungary sends 80 percent of its exports to the EU, but its second-largest export market is the US, followed by China. Therefore, it would be completely against Hungary’s interests for its three largest export markets to enter into a trade war with one another

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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

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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

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Blog

The Soros network spent more than 14 million dollars last year to lobby the US government, focusing in part on Hungarian issues

Jan 25, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

The Soros machine is not a charity

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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

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Here’s why that report is an embarrassment to the US Senate

Jan 14, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

This week’s shameful example of anti-Hungary bias and ignorance comes to us – I regret to report – from the hallowed halls of the United States Senate. On January 10th, the minority staff – I’ll come back to that in a moment – of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee published a report entitled, “Putin’s Asymmetric Assault on Democracy in Russia and Europe: Implications for U.S. National Security.”

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United States pulls out of UN migration pact citing similar motives to PM Orbán in fight against illegal immigration

Dec 04, 2017

"Our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans alone," the US ambassador to the UN said. "We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country"

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What’s this if not the US interfering in Hungarian elections and politics?

Nov 17, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

“Paid for by the taxpayers of the United States of America.” This would be the disclaimer that you might see on certain publications, if the US State Department were to begin handing out money next year, as it announced earlier this week, to support “independent” media outlets in Hungary.

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Hungary's stance on migration gains strength in the United States

Nov 07, 2017

Hungary's chief security advisor said that the European Union has failed to find a solution to the migrant crisis over the course of two and a half years

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Hungary stands by the United States following "senseless" shooting in Texas

Nov 06, 2017

“Hungary stands by the United States in these difficult hours as a faithful ally,” Hungary's foreign ministry said, and voiced its sympathy with the victims’ families

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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

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America takes a leaf out of Hungary's book on tax reform

Oct 24, 2017

The Washington Examiner points out that the measures outlined in the Trump administration's tax reform are similar to those that pulled Hungary from the brink in recent years

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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.

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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"

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Sebastian Gorka, Hungarian-born advisor to Trump, leaves the White House

Aug 29, 2017

Hungarian born Gorka claimed that he resigned from his post, while a White House official said that “Sebastian Gorka didn’t resign, but I can confirm that he won’t be working in the White House anymore”

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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."

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Hungary is interested in the normalization of American-Russian relations

Jul 05, 2017

“We have learned history’s clear lesson that if East and West, Russia and the United States, maintain good relations, then that is good for Central Europe," Hungary's foreign minister said

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Hungary's ambassador to the United States makes first public appearance at AmCham event

Jun 30, 2017

Szabó said that as ambassador his main duty will be to show how Hungary can be attractive, and demonstrate what Hungary can offer to US companies

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Hungary-US relations: the wave is coming

Jun 29, 2017 - Eric Stewart

The American business community encourages President Trump and his team to re-invigorate its relationship with Europe, and we remain optimistic that they will.

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Hungary and Iran form nuclear reactor deal

Apr 07, 2017

Hungary will cooperate with Iran on setting up a small nuclear reactor for scientific-educational purposes

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Europe's security challenges will not be solved without US-Russia help

Feb 21, 2017

Hungary's foreign minister has said that without cooperation between the United States and Russia, it will not be possible to face up to Europe’s security challenges effectively

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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

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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

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Key to settlement in Syria is better relations between Russia and USA

Jan 17, 2017

According to Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, chances of a settlement in Syria since the war broke out have never been as good as they are today, but there will be no solution if Russia and the United States fail to come to terms on the conditions

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PM Orbán says outcome of US election gives us the opportunity to "change things for the better"

Nov 22, 2016

“We need a change in Europe because we have had enough of being lectured by others," PM Orbán said

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Ambassador Bell: The US should not criticize Hungary's immigration policies

Nov 21, 2016

We have not seen such a serious migration crisis since the Second World War, Ambassador Bell said

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PM Orbán: “The world will be a better place with Trump”

Nov 11, 2016 - Zoltán Kovács

“The problem with [ideology-driven thinking] is that it gives an answer to the question before facts are considered,” Prime Minister Orbán said in his radio interview this morning, adding that this kind of thinking has tied up and hindered the West.

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Hungary is hoping for a better relationship with the new US President

Nov 11, 2016

The Hungarian government is expecting the advent of a better world with the election of the new American commander-in-chief

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Hungary congratulates Donald Trump on winning US Presidential election

Nov 09, 2016

PM Orbán became one of the first leaders to congratulate the president-elect after posting a message online, “what great news. Democracy is still alive"

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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

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US ambassador to Hungary to submit resignation in January

Oct 06, 2016

The resignation, to be tendered on the day the next US president is inaugurated, is standard protocol for all ambassadors.

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President Áder: Hungary to forge closer ties with US

Jul 05, 2016

Hungarians and Americans are linked by a long history of friendship and the two countries are close allies with a shared interest in further strengthening transatlantic cooperation

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Hungary issues statement on United States visit

Jun 01, 2016

Contrary to misleading information circulated by certain opposition politicians and media outlets, Hungary attended the Nuclear Security Summit in response to a personal invitation from the president of the United States

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PM Orban: Hungarians deserve more respect from the US

May 20, 2016

Hungarian government wants a democratic European Union determined by the European people

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America is determined to build bridges in Hungary

May 19, 2016

Hungarian-US Business Council will hold a meeting in Budapest in July to strengthen economic ties

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Polish PM: Bill Clinton should apologize to the people

May 19, 2016

Beata Szydlo called Clinton's words “unjustified and simply unfair"

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Bill Clinton used as a political mouthpiece by George Soros

May 19, 2016

George Soros is dissatisfied and “would prefer it if Hungary would not be led by this government”

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U.S. Ambassador to Hungary: Assad is key to Syria's civil war and Russia must restore Ukraine's sovereignty

May 09, 2016

U.S. Ambassador has delivered a speech before a closed session of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Parliament

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