EU Summit - Péter Magyar: Hungarian interests prevailed on all important issues
Foreign Affairs, 2026.10.16 21:55:57
Péter Magyar expressed his satisfaction in Brussels on Friday, stating that according to a video message shared on his social media page, "we achieved success on all issues important to our country" at the two-day EU summit, and Hungarian interests prevailed on all important matters.
In his message, Péter Magyar emphasized that although it was the tenth hour of the second day of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, and he was tired, he was satisfied with the results achieved. He noted that "old hands, experienced prime ministers" said that there hadn't been such an open, honest, and sometimes emotional debate in Brussels for years. There was everything: threats of veto, shouting, alliances, and huge arguments.
"But most importantly: after two days of extremely intensive negotiations, I was able to stand up proudly knowing that Hungarian interests prevailed on all important issues," Péter Magyar stressed.
Regarding the EU summit's migration debate, the Prime Minister highlighted that everyone now sees that the previous misguided, permissive policy cannot continue, as mass migration poses serious social, economic, and security risks across Europe. He stated that on behalf of Hungary, he supported the position of the Visegrád Four, along with Italy, Denmark, and Belgium, who urged the strictest possible action.
He mentioned that during the debate, he deemed it completely unacceptable that Hungary should have to pay a daily fine of one million euros for defending its own borders and those of Europe. He informed that he received promises from both member states and the President of the European Commission to resolve the relevant EU court case.
According to him, the "toughest and longest debate" of the EU summit was triggered by energy policy, which threatens the European Union's competitiveness. He stated that more and more people feel that the current regulation would impose unbearable burdens in the future, not only on European industry and businesses but also on the population.
"This is unacceptable for us, the Visegrád Four, and many other member states. After hours of tough debate, as part of a broad coalition with the V4 member states, Italy, and Greece, we succeeded in getting the European Union to re-evaluate the social and economic impacts of the adopted regulation," said Péter Magyar, adding that this is an extremely important breakthrough in the fight against high energy prices.
He recalled that on Friday, he held a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During this meeting, he emphasized that he welcomed the political agreement reached between Hungary and Ukraine to strengthen the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. He confirmed to the Ukrainian President that as a first step towards restoring mutual trust, Hungary greatly appreciates that, based on the agreement, Ukraine's parliament adopted the minority education law, and that the Ukrainian side immediately began its implementation.
"I thanked the Ukrainian parliament for its September resolution, in which they acknowledged that between 1944 and 1946, crimes were committed against Hungarians in Transcarpathia through forced labor and mass deportations," he stated.
He agreed with the Ukrainian President to continue consultations between the two countries at the ministerial level and to pay special attention to further improving the situation of minorities. "We agreed that it is in the interest of both countries to place political and economic relations on new foundations," he declared, adding that he assured the Ukrainian President of his full solidarity regarding the "inhumane Russian aggression" against his country, which has been ongoing for nearly five years.
Hungary is prepared to provide assistance through all possible diplomatic means to establish an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace, he emphasized.
He also reported that during the European summit, he held discussions with the leaders of the European People's Party (EPP) and with the leaders of member states "urging stricter EU immigration rules."
During these discussions, he made it clear that Hungary will only accept the EU's new seven-year budget in December if Hungary receives all the development funds due to it, and the EU funds allocated to the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion development are not reduced in any way.
"We have concluded an important, substantive EU summit, where it became clear that without vetoing, by building real alliances, we can represent the interests of the Hungarian people and Hungarian companies much better than before," said Péter Magyar, then informed that on Saturday, the ministers of the Tisza government will continue the finalization of the 2027 Hungarian budget.
Source: MTI
