Foreign Affairs

EU

EC steps up energy efficiency, sulphur emissions infringement procedures against Hungary

The European Commission (EC) today announced it started infringement procedures against Hungary for failing to conform to EU rules on...

Visits

KITE inaugurates HUF 1.4 bln logistics base

Hungarian agribusiness KITE inaugurated a HUF 1.4 bln logistics base in Nádudvar in norhteastern Hungary, Hungarian news agency MTI reported...

EU

Parliament OKs bank law, sets FX conversion rate

The Hungarian Parliament today approved the law on converting retail mortgages denominated in foreign currency and the law on "fair...

EU

From Beijing – A Law … and a Warning

Beijing’s passage this month of a Counterespionage Law – a revised version of its 1993 National Security Law – sent...

Visits

PM: China’s success is ‘spiritual trauma’ for EU

"Admitting that non-democracies are more successful than Europe is even more difficult than facing the EU's reduced competitiveness," Hungary’s Prime...

EU

Proposed legislation said to mean end of private pensions

The National Economy Ministry submitted proposed private pension regulations that it says will protect assets, while industry observers say the...

Visits

Orbán: EU is a ‘stalled project’

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán dubbed the European Union a “stalled project” – and said that strong political leadership is...

EU

Varga: Laying foundations for sustainable growth is key

The upcoming years should be spent laying the foundations for and ensuring sustainable growth, National Economy Minister Mihály Varga said...

Visits

PM: Hungary should be loyal to EU, NATO allies

As a member of NATO and the European Union, "Hungary should be loyal to its allies, but should take all...

EU

FX conversion bill prohibits lenders from raising rates

The interest of the foreign currency or FX-denominated mortgage loans to be converted into forint loans cannot exceed the interest...

Visits

PM: U.S. Hungary’s ally

The essence of Hungarian-U.S. relations can be summed up as follows: there is an alliance between the two nations in...

Int'l Relations

Official: Norway ‘blackmails’ Hungary

A Hungarian official today accused the Norwegian government of engaging in “blackmail” in reaction to last week’s suggestion by the...

Visits

PM: I never considered Russia an example

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told an audience in Münich yesterday that he is not seeking a special relationship with...

World

NY Times: Hungary defying EU principles

The Hungarian government lead by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is “sliding toward authoritarianism” and defies fundamental EU principles, according an...

EU

Hungary second in EU in growth of poverty risk

Hungary was second only to Greece in the pace of growth of the proportion of people at risk of poverty...

Int'l Relations

Russia Expels Hungarian Diplomats in Retaliatory Move

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that it was expelling Hungarian diplomats in retaliation for Hungary’s recent expulsion of 10 Russian...

EU

EU Grants Hungary 1‑year Exemption from Gas Market Rule

The EC approved Hungary's request for a temporary exemption from an EU gas‑market regulation at the Serbian border, allowing the...

Germany Celebrates Fall of the Iron Curtain as a Joint Achievement

Germany’s new ambassador to Hungary, Alexander Schönfelder, took up his post in August. In his first interview with the BBJ,...

Hungary Signals Interest in Hosting 2036 Olympics

The Int'l Olympic Committee confirmed that Hungary is among seven countries engaged in ongoing dialogue and has formally expressed interest...

Russia Expels Hungarian Diplomats in Retaliatory Move

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that it was expelling Hungarian diplomats in retaliation for Hungary’s recent expulsion of 10 Russian...

Hungary’s EPPO Accession Advances With Budapest Talks

European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi held talks with Hungarian officials in Budapest on the details of Hungary’s accession to...

EU Grants Hungary 1‑year Exemption from Gas Market Rule

The EC approved Hungary's request for a temporary exemption from an EU gas‑market regulation at the Serbian border, allowing the...

Magyar Invites Pope Leo XIV to Hungary After Vatican Talks

Prime Minister Péter Magyar invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Hungary during a private audience at the Vatican on Sept....

EU Project Pre-Financing Pushes August Budget Deficit to HUF 2.31 tln

Hungary’s cash flow-based general government deficit reached HUF 2.31 tln in August, driven overwhelmingly by pre-financing for projects supported by...

All Hungarian University Students to Regain Erasmus Access by October, Official Says

Hungarian university students will have the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus mobility program by October, with some able to...

ÁKK: Euro Adoption May Cut Hungary’s Debt Costs by 50%

The Government Debt Management Agency (ÁKK) says Hungary could reduce its financing costs after adopting the euro, lowering annual interest...

Hungarian Teen Detained Over Alleged Terrorist Threats After FBI Tip

Hungarian police have detained a 16-year-old boy in Győr on suspicion of making terrorist threats after the FBI alerted authorities...

Russia Pledges Response to Hungary’s Expulsion of 10 Diplomats

Russia will respond to Hungary’s decision to expel 10 Russian diplomats, Foreign Mininstry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday, adding that...

Hungary to Formalize Gift of Lipizzaner Horses to King Charles III

Hungary will formally gift two Lipizzaner horses to the UK's King Charles III, resolving an ownership issue after the animals...

40 Hungarian Tourists Safe After Wildfire Evacuation on Croatia’s Brač Island

A group of 40 Hungarian tourists evacuated from Milna on Croatia’s Brač island due to wildfires are safe, Hungary’s Foreign...

Magyar Says No Progress Yet in Hungary-Slovakia Dispute Over Beneš Decrees

PM Péter Magyar said Thursday that no progress had yet been made on disputed issues between Hungary and Slovakia, including...

CJEU Rejects Hungary’s Bid to Halt Russian Asset Revenue Transfers to Ukraine

The CJEU has thrown out an appeal by the previous Hungarian government against an EC decision to send aid to...