Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I welcome the large number of mayors and representatives who are here today. On behalf of the Government and myself, I welcome the engineers and workers who built and will operate the factory. I extend a special welcome to Mr. Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, and Mr. Hans-Peter Kemser, Managing Director of the BMW plant here in Debrecen.
This is how we imagined it would be in 1998, when I reached an agreement with the then Germany chancellor Helmut Kohl on cooperation between Hungarian and German industry. We thought that as a result of this cooperation there would be satisfied Germans and satisfied people in Debrecen. I see that on both these counts there are. We also thought that there would be shared pride: shared German and Hungarian pride in the achievements that the cooperation between the two countries, the two economies, and the two industries would bring to all of us. We are indeed proud. It is fantastic, amazing! The size is fantastic and amazing, and the quality is fantastic and amazing!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Seven years ago we announced that BMW would build a factory in Hungary, and that the factory would be located in Debrecen. We thought it would be a sure-fire success, because the cooperation between German car manufacturers and Hungary, which goes back several decades, has only produced good things. Why would it be any different with BMW? What’s more, BMW is Bavarian in origin. Germany is a large country, and even before the current era of migration and multiculturalism, it has been home to many peoples: Bavarians, Swabians, Saxons and Franks. The truth is that the Bavarians are closest to us in terms of their outlook and lifestyle. I would venture to say that they are also Central Europeans – but they are certainly the merriest people in the Germanic world. As every Hungarian elementary school child learns – and even knows in their sleep – our first king’s wife, Queen Gisela, came from Bavaria. We think of our first queen with gratitude in our hearts.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let us also remember the German settlers who arrived from Bavaria and helped rebuild Hungary after the Turkish devastation, arriving here “mit einem Bündel”: with just a bundle. The old Hungarians noted that the Germans and Bavarians of that time were “hard-working people, they took pennies and turned them into florins”. They were industrious people who multiplied all their invested wealth a hundredfold. They respected the Hungarians, shared our fate, and we welcomed them.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
BMW is a popular marque in Hungary. We Hungarians love speed, bold manoeuvres, some thrill and adventure; but at the same time we expect stability and safety. And a BMW is just such a car for that. BMW is full of dynamism and flair, and we like to think of ourselves that way. I hope that an increasing number of Hungarian families will be able to afford BMWs.
Dear Friends,
Our lives are currently going through a bumpy stretch of road. The structure of the global economy is changing. Europe is experiencing upheavals. Rapid gear shifts and bold manoeuvres are needed. Countries are being tested, and automotive companies are also being tested. I quote the distinguished Mr. Zipse, who has written: “The situation is serious – in every respect. There will be a selection process in our industry. The weak will fall by the wayside.” I would only add that this selection process will not only take place in the automotive industry, but also in other industries – and even among countries. It is important how each of us responds. Some will remain standing, and some will drop to their knees. Some companies will remain standing, and some will drop to their knees. Some countries will remain standing, and some will fall to their knees. Germany and Hungary are also facing serious questions. Can they produce competitively? Do their citizens still want to work, and are they still able to do so? Do they have courageous leaders who will pursue the interests of their countries and their people? Will they stand up to protect their own economies and industries, in matters of customs policy, the green transition, and energy prices? I say this with a heavy heart, but today Europe is weak. We are unable to reach good agreements, even with our own allies. That is why, for example, all cars exported to the United States are subject to a 15 per cent tariff, while there is no tariff in the other direction. This means that, if we want to sell them in America, BMWs manufactured in Debrecen are at a 15 per cent disadvantage compared to BMWs manufactured in South Carolina. So instead of complaining, this means we have to be at least that much better.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fortunately, there is a path that is not only sufficient for survival and staying afloat, but will also lead to success, development, and a secure future. We feel that we Hungarians are on this path, and from today onwards we can travel this path with BMW – and indeed the entire BMW Group can come with us. It is not the path of isolation, but of connection. Not of slowing down, but of speeding up. Not of over-regulating, but of remaining flexible. Not of raising taxes, but of reducing them. Not of dictating to companies, but of working with them. Not of opposing the green transition, but of working with them to achieve it. I do not think this needs to be explained in Debrecen. Here they know what this means, because German, Hungarian and Chinese engineers are always crossing paths here. Please remember: we are talking about the most advanced technologies in the world. These technologies are here with us today, and in Hungary these technologies are here with you in Debrecen. We are keeping taxes low for families and businesses alike. We are providing a predictable environment. Anyone who invests in Hungary can be sure that they will do well and that the rules will not change from one month to the next. That, so to speak, is what “Willkommenskultur” means in Hungary. We have no ideology, only results. What matters is what happens at the end of the financial year. We do not tax, but we reward work and investment, and we allow businesses to reinvest their money. And, most importantly, the Hungarian path does not lead to war. There will be no war economy. The military industry and the protection of our borders are important, but we will not spend Hungarian money on other people’s wars. We will use Hungarian money to build the Hungarian economy and Hungarian industry – for example in Debrecen.
My Dear Friends,
The BMW investment in Debrecen is the hallmark and guarantee of the success of Hungary’s response. One of Europe’s oldest, most prestigious, and most innovative car manufacturers is bringing its newest factory to Eastern Hungary to produce the car of the future, the Neue Klasse. This proves that the Hungarian path is not only viable, but also leads to a good place. The factory itself will create three thousand high value-added jobs in Hajdú-Bihar County. In cooperation with local schools and Hungarian technical universities, BMW has also established a training centre. And we believe that the success story will continue. A logistics centre began operating next to the factory in the summer, and a business service centre is also being built in the city. I would like to offer my special congratulations for the fact that industrial development in Debrecen has been achieved in such a way that – with its car factory, battery factory and logistics developments – the city has been ranked among the three finalists for the European Green Capital Award. Industry, development, innovation, a green and liveable city all at once. Public utilities and roads have been renovated, and the expansion of Debrecen Airport is also underway. If I add up private and public funds, even by conservative estimates more than one trillion forints has come here to Hajdú-Bihar over the past seven years in relation to BMW alone. And I haven’t even mentioned some of the other important investments in the county. To be honest, Mayor Papp, no other region has made such progress in such a short time. I know that people in Debrecen believe that there is no number to which another cannot be added. Who knows, perhaps the key to Debrecen’s success lies in its eternal dissatisfaction. If that is the case, so be it – although I must admit that as Prime Minister this can be exhausting at times. I will be meeting with the Mayor this afternoon, and I know that I have a difficult few hours ahead of me.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Finally I would once again like to welcome BMW to Hungary. I wish you every success. Your success is our success, your innovation is to our advantage, your jobs are the security of our families. I hope that, like your German predecessors, you will turn every cent into a euro. Let our journey together begin!
Thank you for your attention.