Minister Gulyás revealed that Ukraine is leveraging its oil supplies to pressure Hungary and Slovakia due to their consistent calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations. "Ukraine is blackmailing us because of our pro-peace stance, which contradicts EU agreements," stated the minister. He highlighted that if the situation remains unresolved, Hungary might face a fuel shortage by September. This coercion is particularly stark given that Ukraine relies on Hungary for 40 percent of its electricity supply while Hungary also provides substantial humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees.
In response, Hungary has urged the European Commission to mediate the dispute. Minister János Bóka, responsible for European affairs, explained that Ukraine's actions violate several provisions of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine. Consequently, Hungary and Slovakia have the right to initiate consultations through the Commission, with a three-day window for action, and reserve the right to take further measures if necessary.
Minister Gulyás emphasized Hungary’s stance against yielding to Ukraine’s coercion and reiterated the nation’s commitment to maintaining its energy security. He also highlighted the broader implications of Ukraine's actions on regional stability and cooperation within the EU.
The government also discussed the recent court ruling on migration, which Minister Gulyás described as disgraceful and biased against Hungary. "The EU Court of Justice harbors unprecedented animosity towards our nation, which defends Europe's external borders," he remarked. Hungary has spent 2 billion euros on border protection without EU assistance. Gulyás warned that if an agreement with Brussels is not reached, Hungary cannot guarantee preventing migrants from heading to Austria.
He further criticized the European Parliament's decision to exclude the Patriots for Europe group from key positions, stating, "The European political culture is missing in the EP. In Hungary, opposition factions have always received committee positions."
Minister János Bóka provided an update on Hungary’s EU presidency, noting that over 800 delegations participated in various events, including informal council meetings on competitiveness, environmental protection, energy policies, and security issues. Despite the summer recess, preparations continue for significant events in the fall, such as the European Council meeting on November 8 to discuss the new competitiveness pact.
The EU affairs minister also mentioned the successful formation of a defense policy working group and agreements on the 2025 EU budget. He emphasized the importance of the EU’s economic competitiveness and the role of the Hungarian presidency in advancing this agenda.
Government spokesperson Eszter Vitályos announced new measures to make state-supported loans accessible to those with special tax statuses, like farmers, allowing them to use at least 50 percent of their income for loan applications. Additionally, Hungary's universities have seen increased admissions, with over 90,000 students accepted this year, reflecting growing interest in higher education.
Spokesperson Vitályos highlighted that the government aims to make housing loans more accessible to those with unique tax situations and emphasized the success of Hungary’s educational institutions in attracting many students. She also mentioned recent infrastructure investments, including a new nursery and upgraded railway services.
The government remains committed to protecting national interests and supporting its citizens through strategic initiatives and international diplomacy.
The government continues to push for negotiations and solutions that align with Hungary's national interests and broader European stability.