Magyar also extended an invitation to Tusk for a visit to Budapest late in June.

A strong Europe requires “strong, competitive, confident but humble member states,” Magyar said.

“In order for Europe to regain its former strength, it needs a central Europe comprising strong, competitive member states that are proud of themselves and cooperating with each other.”

Regarding the talks, Magyar welcomed the opportunity to “open a new chapter in the thousand-year-old Hungarian-Polish friendship”.

“If Hungary’s history was difficult, then Poland’s was extremely so; and yet, Poland is here, stronger than ever, and so is Hungary, and I am confident it will soon be stronger than ever,” Magyar said.

The Hungarian prime minister thanked Tusk for his support before the recent parliamentary election.

Concerning the invitation to Tusk, Magyar said he would extend similar invitations to the Czech and Slovak premiers, and said he hoped they could all meet late in June, before the end of Hungary’s Visegrád Group presidency.

Magyar said Hungary would be partner to Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia “in all areas … to restore the strength, glory and influence of the V4 in Europe”.

The prime minister said it was important to work to expand the V4 cooperation “whether to our Scandinavian friends, or Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, as well as non-EU countries in the Western Balkans.”

“The heart of Europe is now in central Europe and we will need to work to help that heart keep beating as long and as strong as possible,” Magyar said.

Magyar noted he had discussed a number of subjects with Tusk, and that the negotiations would continue throughout the day. He called European security and energy security of paramount importance, adding that they could cooperate more closely in these areas than before and that he would welcome Polish experiences on that subject as well as in other areas.

Meanwhile, he pointed to the notion that “changes in Poland will arrive in Budapest sooner or later”, saying that “the Warsaw Express has arrived in Budapest with the Tisza Party’s election victory”.

He said Tusk had faced similar problems after winning the latest election in Poland. Among those he mentioned the rule of law issues, the repatriation and efficient use of European Union funds, and the fight against corruption.

He said he greatly valued “the experience of the Polish PM, the Polish government, and the Polish nation”.

Answering a question concerning the war in Ukraine, Magyar said “Ukraine is the victim of the war and has every right to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity with all means at its disposal.” In view of the many casualties on both sides, the first step is a longer ceasefire as soon as possible, and a lasting peace “truly guaranteed by international partners”, he added.

Concluding the war as soon as possible is also in the interest of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, he said. With the Tisza government there is now an opportunity to open a new chapter in the relations between Ukraine and Hungary, Magyar noted, adding that expert-level talks had already started on the Hungarian minority’s right to use their mother tongue and culture, among other issues.

He said he hoped he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berehove (Beregszász) in early June. Guarantees as to the rights of the Hungarian minority are conditional to Hungary approving the opening the first chapter of Ukraine’s EU accession, he added.

According to the Hungarian prime minister, Poland has become a crucial regional centre of the EU in terms of defense policy, agriculture, food production and infrastructure developments.

“On must not be jealous but learn and cooperate to have such development in Hungary whether its is the railways, energy infrastructure or defence,” Magyar said.

Concerning Poland’s former justice minister and his deputy, who had been granted asylum by the former Hungarian government but who has now left Hungary, Magyar assured his counterpart that Hungary was ready to cooperate in efforts to ensure that “these persons return to Poland and are brought to justice”.

“Hungary will not be a depository of internationally wanted criminals,” he added.

He also added that the two former officials had left Hungary before he entered his office. One of them left for the United States but not directly from Hungary, while the other has been reported to have left Hungary for Serbia, the prime minister said.

After meeting Tusk, Magyar had talks with President Karol Nawrocki.

He is scheduled to pay courtesy visits to Poland’s parliamentary speakers, and then leave for Gdansk to meet former President Lech Walesa and attend a rally together with Tusk.