Latest news with #Orbán
Yemen Online
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yemen Online
UAE President visits Hungary to deepen strategic relations
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support the development goals of both nations. The high-level meeting, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Budapest, was part of His Highness' official visit to Hungary. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in strategic sectors such as trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy. His Highness reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to fostering strong international partnerships, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to drive progress and prosperity. Prime Minister Orbán expressed appreciation for the UAE President's visit, noting that it marks a significant step in enhancing UAE-Hungary relations. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, stressing the importance of diplomatic solutions to conflicts and reaffirming their support for international efforts to promote peace and stability. Prime Minister Orbán also hosted a dinner in honor of His Highness and his delegation.
Filipino Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
UAE President visits Hungary to deepen strategic relations
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support the development goals of both nations. The high-level meeting, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Budapest, was part of His Highness' official visit to Hungary. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in strategic sectors such as trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy. His Highness reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to fostering strong international partnerships, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to drive progress and prosperity. Prime Minister Orbán expressed appreciation for the UAE President's visit, noting that it marks a significant step in enhancing UAE-Hungary relations. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, stressing the importance of diplomatic solutions to conflicts and reaffirming their support for international efforts to promote peace and stability. =Prime Minister Orbán also hosted a dinner in honor of His Highness and his delegation.
Budapest Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: Brussels must immediately withdraw its ‘pro-Ukrainian' draft budget
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Facebook on Wednesday that Brussels must immediately withdraw its 'pro-Ukrainian' draft budget. In a video, PM Orbán said the cabinet had heard briefings from Agriculture Minister István Nagy and EU Affairs Minister János Bóka at its meeting earlier today. 'We discussed Brussels's proposal,' the prime minister said. 'This is a seven-year draft budget, and the picture that's unfolding is graver than we imagined.' He noted that Hungarian farmers staged a demonstration against Brussels's plans in front of the European Council's representation in Budapest on Wednesday. 'Brussels's proposal can be summed up as a pro-Ukrainian budget whose aim is crystal clear: they want to take Europeans' money [and give it] to Ukraine,' PM Orbán said. He said the plan was 'weak even as a basis for negotiations', adding that Hungary recommended that the EC withdraw the draft budget and prepare a new one 'which serves the interests of the European people and European farmers rather than those of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky and Ukraine'. 'Brussels must be stopped,' PM Orbán declared.
Budapest Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
PM Orbán: 'If everyone wants peace, why is there still war?'
Prime Minister Orbán made an appearance on the Ultrahang podcast, offering unfiltered insights into his political philosophy, personal habits, and Hungary's role in the international arena. The conversation ranged from the nature of online media to the geopolitics of the Ukraine war, with the prime minister not holding back. PM Orbán acknowledged that he rarely engages with digital content himself. 'I have a good old Nokia,' he said. 'I'm from the generation that believes a phone is for making phone calls. I do have an iPad, secretly, but it's dangerous. It pulls you in.' He admitted that even his limited browsing often reveals how misunderstood his statements are. 'Sometimes I think, why didn't they just ask me what I meant?' On why he has recently appeared in multiple podcasts, Prime Minister Orbán said he welcomes interviews, but only under certain conditions. 'If there's a chance for a meaningful conversation, I'm available. But I won't sit down for a back-and-forth ambush. And I won't talk to mercenaries — those paid from abroad. I like knowing I'm speaking to the person in front of me, not their funders.' The discussion turned toward the ongoing war in Ukraine, where the prime minister offered a sobering perspective. 'Everyone says they want peace, but there's still war. That means someone is lying.' PM Orbán believes some European and Ukrainian leaders are actively interested in prolonging the conflict. 'They want the war to continue, no matter what they say.' In contrast, he described U.S. President Donald Trump as 'the man of peace.' While Trump has not yet ended the war, the alternative, according to Prime Minister Orbán, could have been catastrophic. 'If Biden or Harris had stayed in power, we might already be in a world war. So we must be grateful that Trump is in office.' He argued that the only path to peace is through direct negotiation between the Russian and American presidents. 'A deal won't come from Kyiv. It must come from Washington and Moscow. Until then, there will be no peace.' The prime minister also outlined why Hungary immediately chose neutrality. 'First, it's about national interest. If our neighbor builds an army of 800,000, no one knows who they'll aim it at next.' He added that from the beginning, the odds were stacked against Ukraine. 'They're fewer in number, under-resourced, and facing a nuclear superpower. No one has ever defeated such a power on the battlefield.' He went further, placing the war within a broader civilizational context. 'While White, Christian Europeans kill each other on the Russian-Ukrainian front, we allow masses of people from alien cultures to flood into Europe. It's abnormal.' Regarding the possibility of Russia attacking Western Europe, Prime Minister Orbán was unequivocal. 'It's not realistic. Russia has 140 million people. The EU has over 440 million, not counting the Americans. Militarily and economically, the West is far stronger. The solution is not pushing war, but strengthening NATO.' He also dismissed the idea of Hungary exiting the EU. 'There's no such moment on the horizon when it would be better to leave. Spiritually, perhaps we are drifting apart, but economically, Hungary benefits more by staying.' Still, he criticized the direction the EU has taken since Hungary's accession. 'There was no talk in 2004 of forced migration, child-rearing policies, or being dragged into war.' On the economic front, the prime minister reflected on 2025's rocky start. 'I expected by now we'd at least have a ceasefire and see economic improvement. But Europe convinced Ukraine to continue the war.' Still, Hungary pressed forward with programs to support business. 'Despite the challenges, we launched initiatives like the Sándor Demjén Program.' Asked about his ideological transformation, he explained his shift from liberalism to conservatism. 'In the 20th century, liberals and conservatives united against totalitarianism. But now liberals claim that anyone who disagrees with them is undemocratic. We've shown there is such a thing as a conservative, Christian democracy. They just refuse to acknowledge it.' Lastly, Prime Minister Orbán addressed whether he would remain in politics if Fidesz moved into opposition. 'Even then, I wouldn't disappear. This is more than a job. It's a mission.'
Budapest Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Budapest Times
PM: Winner of the European Commission's latest plan is Ukraine
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a video posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday that the winner of the European Commission's latest plan is Ukraine, since it earmarks a lot of money for the country. PM Orbán said there is chaos in Brussels because the European Commission's new draft budget proposal, which had 'surprised everyone', had been leaked, and 'the situation is dramatic'. The winner of the EC's latest plan is Ukraine, and its biggest losers are European citizens, he added. 'It could hit farmers especially hard because … Hungarian farmers, along with their European counterparts, could receive far less subsidies in future,' the prime minister said. The government is therefore addressing this as the first item on its agenda at Wednesday's cabinet meeting, PM Orbán said.
