In the interview, the minister emphasized the success of policy in Central Europe, stating that it has resulted in strengthening the Central Eastern Europe region. Martonyi said that CEE has been the top focus for Hungarian diplomacy since assuming the Central European Initiative and Visegrád Four presidencies.
In evaluating relations with neighboring countries, Martonyi said those had developed most favorably with Serbia, adding that many achievements have been made in relations with Slovakia, primarily in economic cooperation and border-crossing infrastructural projects. Open issues that need to be resolved include the recently adopted public education law, citizenship regulations and the Benes decrees.
Concerning EU-related affairs, Martonyi said the passing of the bloc’s 2014-2020 budget represented a favorable turn in which Hungary would be entitled to allocations worth €25 billion during the period: “The European Commission has now recognized that Hungary has made significant progress in restoring balance and turning the country’s economy into growth.”
He stressed that “attacks” against Hungary had successfully been thwarted because Hungary’s government and diplomacy had firmly represented the country’s interests in international forums. “Attacks have waned, as allegations they were built on turned out to be false,” Martonyi claimed.
Finally, the minister said that Hungary in 2013 had generated a vast foreign trade surplus, representing more than 7% of GDP, “unparalleled in the world” in his opinion.
— material from MTI was used in this article
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