Latest news with #Kocsis
Budapest Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Kocsis: We did not join NATO or the European Union to be a serf
'We did not join NATO or the European Union to be a serf but a member with full rights,' Máté Kocsis, the group leader of ruling Fidesz said. During The Bold Truth About Hungary podcast, Kocsis said the EU leadership was 'so committed to Ukraine's entry' that 'it no longer matters who is an ally or who is an enemy, or a neutral party … we are members of NATO and the EU … we are their allies, peers, their partners … even if we have a different position on some important issues.' 'Then there is Ukraine, which is not a member, nor an ally … no doubt, it has been attacked … but not by Europe,' Kocsis said. He said plans to fast-track Ukraine's European Union membership was 'the best decision in view of their own interests, since nine out of ten agricultural companies in Ukraine are in fact in US, or Western European … ownership.' The EU's direct agricultural subsidies would therefore 'transit Ukraine and land in Western Europe,' Kocsis said. Kocsis also said if Ukraine were to be a member of the EU, the country could send 70-75 deputies to the European Parliament, some 10 percent of the whole assembly. Those MEPs, he added, 'would be grateful to the incumbent, liberal Brussels elite' and 'would not join the Patriots group associated with (Hungarian PM) Viktor Orban.' Ukraine does not like that 'the Hungarian government wants to make a decision over their EU accession based on feedback from Hungarian voters,' Kocsis said. He said it was obvious that Ukraine was 'trying to discredit Hungary's referendum (on Ukraine's entry) and put Hungary in a situation in which we could be accused of making preparations for a military intervention, which could then prove Ukraine's position in the international arena'. 'I am certain it all is behind the games and considerations of the Ukrainian secret services,' Kocsis added. The Ukrainian leadership is trying to 'make Hungarians uncertain in their decision … should they oppose Ukraine's entry, Kocsis said, adding that some of the Hungarian media contributed to Ukraine's 'misinformation campaign'. He singled out news portal which he said had reported that the government's Voks2025 survey had been 'met with the public's total disinterest' whereas 1.2 million had returned the sheets to date. 'Ukraine appears to be manically trying to prove that Hungary is in fact pro-war rather than pro-peace,' Kocsis said, adding that the opposition Tisza Party was working to achieve the same end. He insisted that Ukraine was painting a picture of the people recently arrested on charges of espionage 'so that they could later accuse Hungary of plans to send tanks to Transcarpathia.'
Budapest Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
National Security Service identifies more Ukrainian spies
Máté Kocsis, ruling Fidesz's parliamentary group leader, said the National Security Service have identified more Ukrainian spies, including Roland Tseber as an 'illegal' officer of the Ukrainian intelligence service, and István Holló, who is under investigation by the National Office of Investigation on suspicion of espionage activities. After a meeting of the national security committee on Tuesday, Kocsis told a press conference that Tseber, as an 'illegal' officer, had probably been actively building relations with members of the Hungarian opposition for a long time. Kocsis added that Tseber had met several leading politicians and senior officials of parliamentary parties as part of his activities in Hungary. In the meantime, Holló's activities in Hungary involved active intelligence activities to learn about Hungary's army and energy systems in cooperation with Ukrainian military intelligence, Kocsis said. He added that Tseber was earlier a dual Ukrainian-Hungarian citizen, but he returned his Hungarian citizenship in 2017. He has built a political career in Ukraine, including as a representative of the Transcarpathian County Council, Kocsis said. Tseber had been on the radar of the Hungarian national security authorities for years, and he was banned from entering and staying in Hungary due to his intensifying activities in 2024, he added. Holló, who had also been on the radar of Hungarian counterintelligence for a long time, is a Ukrainian citizen who had never held Hungarian citizenship, Kocsis said. He has been involved in activities to influence Hungary's international reputation in a negative way and aimed to make the Hungarian government change its position concerning Ukraine with the help of external pressure, he added. In response to a question about the transparency law, Kocsis said the aim was to prevent, for instance, the disinformation campaigns that are currently underway from Ukraine, and to protect the Hungarian public space from foreign secret services and foreign state interests.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Hungarian author launches photo book offering intimate portrait of China
BUDAPEST, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A new photo album showcasing contemporary China through the eyes of a Hungarian author was unveiled in Budapest on Wednesday. Titled "China with a Hundred Faces," the book by writer and publisher Andras Sandor Kocsis was launched at a ceremony attended by prominent cultural and political figures, who hailed it as a valuable contribution to fostering mutual understanding between Hungary and China. The event drew guests including former Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy and renowned literary translator Yu Zemin. Kocsis, head of Kas Publishing, has long championed Chinese culture in Hungary. His publishing house has released nearly 40 China-related titles, including works by Nobel laureate Mo Yan and acclaimed author Su Tong. In recognition of his contributions, Kocsis received the Special Book Award of China in 2019. At the launch, Kocsis shared that his connection to Chinese culture began in childhood. He said the book aims to give Hungarian readers an authentic and nuanced view of China. "This book aims to be a bridge of mutual recognition and respect between cultures," he noted. He also recounted personal stories from his travels in China -- moments of kindness from strangers that left a lasting impact. Yu, who has translated over 30 Hungarian literary works into Chinese, described China with a Hundred Faces as "more than a travelogue." "This book is not just about sights, it's about the author's perspective and understanding," he said. "For readers curious about China, this work opens a window -- even a telescope -- to contemporary Chinese society." Yu recalled traveling with Kocsis to Cuandixia, an ancient village near Beijing, and to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. He emphasized that the book not only highlights China's cultural heritage but also reflects deeply personal narratives. "Kocsis gives us a lens through which we can view China -- and that lens is shaped by his own character and depth," he said. Medgyessy underscored the role of cultural diplomacy. "Culture connects people, ways of thinking, and values," he said. "Books like this help Hungarians understand China better. We must not fear China -- we must know it. And through knowledge, cooperation becomes possible." He also reflected on the strengthening of Hungary-China relations since his 2003 visit, which he called an "ice-breaking" moment in bilateral ties. "Regardless of political leadership, there has been a shared belief in the value of close China-Hungary ties," Medgyessy said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hungary claims it exposed 2 Ukrainian 'spies' amid mutual espionage accusations
Hungarian intelligence services have uncovered two alleged Ukrainian "spies," Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote on the social media platform X on May 20. The new allegations escalate a diplomatic row sparked by mutual espionage accusations between Kyiv and Budapest. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) claimed on May 9 that it had exposed a Hungarian espionage network in western Ukraine, detaining two agents. In response, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, a move met with reciprocal expulsions by Kyiv. Kovacs said that Hungary's Fidesz party identified the individuals as Roland Tseber and Istvan Hollo. Citing the parliamentary group leader Mate Kocsis, he claimed Tseber was "an illegal officer of Ukrainian intelligence" who built ties with opposition figures to influence Hungary's position on Russia's war. Kocsis also claimed Hollo was a Ukrainian national under investigation for seeking classified Hungarian information on energy and military policy. "This activity fits a classic influence operation aiming to discredit Hungary internationally and pressure the government to shift its Ukraine policy," Kocsis said. Ukraine hasn't commented on the latest allegations. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us On May 13, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of meddling in Hungary's internal affairs and colluding with an opposition party. "The Hungarian opposition party took an active part in the special operation of the Ukrainian secret service. Such a thing has never happened in our memory," Orban said, likely referring to the Tisza party led by opposition figure Peter Magyar. Magyar, who visited Kyiv in July 2024 and raised humanitarian aid for Ukraine, has positioned his party in opposition to Orban's policies and vowed to reset Hungary's relations with the West. Orban, widely regarded as the EU's most pro-Russian leader, has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine and warned that Ukraine's EU membership would "destroy" Hungary. The espionage dispute comes amid Hungary's increasing political isolation within the EU due to its position on Russia's ongoing full-scale war, now in its third year. Read also: 'No one saw surrender as an option' – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Budapest Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
National security committee to be convened over Magyar's connection to Ukraine's influence operations
Máté Kocsis, the ruling party's group leader, said on Facebook on Friday that Fidesz has proposed convening parliament's national security committee over opposition Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar's connection to Ukraine's influence operations. Kocsis said it was vital to 'clarify new information that surfaced in the press today on a connection between Ukrainian influence operations and the Tisza Party'. He said Hungary's secret services would have to conduct a thorough investigation into Magyar's connection to a high-ranking officer in Ukraine's military public administration. 'In light of all this, we have initiated convening another meeting of the national security committee for next Tuesday, where we will request a briefing on these matters, and, if possible, we will propose releasing the available information to the public,' Kocsis said.
