Search
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
The city centre of Belgrade viewed from the Danube (Pixabay)

EU Enlargement and Energy Security — The Hungary–Serbia Relationship

Prior to the start of Hungary’s current presidency of the Council of the EU, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó stated that the country plans to initiate the opening of a new chapter in accession negotiations with Serbia. This intention was also extended to the entire region, as the Hungarian foreign minister highlighted the country’s aim to hold intergovernmental talks with all five Western Balkan countries.

Day 1 of Danube–Heritage Geopolitical Summit Concludes with Discussions on Energy and Closing Remarks

Distinguished experts gathered at the fourth Danube Institute Geopolitical Summit to talk about the consequences of the green energy transition many leftist politicians are pushing for. Then, Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia; Ambassador Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy and Energy Security of Hungary; and Former US Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert Wilkie took the floor for closing remarks.

Roberta Metsola delivers her remarks in the European Parliament in Strasbourg following her re-election on 16 July 2024.

Roberta Metsola’s ‘Cruisegate’ — Another European Parliament Scandal

Ukko Metsola is a top lobbyist for the Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s second-largest cruise ship company. So ironically, while Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, has been apparently making efforts to have green regulations adopted by the EP, her husband is lobbying for a global polluter. In addition, thanks to the new code of ethics she pushed through, she is not required to disclose potential conflicts of interest.

Leader of the French party Rassemblement National Marine Le Pen and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attend a joint press conference in the Prime Minister’s office, Budapest, Hungary, 26 October 2021.

A European Alternative: The Origin and Future of Patriots for Europe

‘Although the political forces thinking in terms of a European alternative failed to replace the Brussels Grand Coalition in the 2024 EP elections, there is a real chance that they could organize themselves into a new right-wing pole in the next five years, which could bring about a real systemic change in Brussels politics.’

The European Commission’s Role in Recent Crises Explored at MCC Brussels Event

The conference featured research by Italian author and journalist Thomas Fazi, whose report ‘The Silent Coup’ was recently published by MCC Brussels. In his report Fazi argues that the sovereign debt crisis, the refugee crisis, the Brexit referendum, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine all contributed to the widening of the European Commission’s competences.

‘Hungary advocated for competitiveness before it was sexy’ — EU Affairs Minister János Bóka at Danube Institute Conference

Hungarian EU Affairs Minister János Bóka gave a detailed presentation on the first day of the conference co-organized by the Danube Institute, outlining the key priorities of the Hungarian EU Presidency. Bóka highlighted an early success of the presidency, noting that while six months ago the importance of developing European competitiveness was rarely discussed, it has now become a central topic in the European political debate.

Ursula von der Leyen and Mario Draghi pose with copies of the Draghi Report in Brussels on 9 September 2024.

Draghi Report on Competitiveness: Wise Guidance for the Upcoming Five Years?

Draghi proposes that the EU’s priorities should include the lowering of energy prices, increasing competitiveness, proper governance of industrial policy, and increased defence spending. The EU should no longer rely on others to maintain its security, he argues, since continuing to do so would make it more vulnerable.

European Commission Candidates List Still Incomplete after Deadline for Nomination Elapses

At the end of July Viktor Orbán announced that he would nominate again Olivér Várhelyi, the former Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy. Hungary would retain the position in charge of enlargement policy in the new Commission, but this ambition may be thwarted. Currently it seems that the majority of Member States and the EP are reluctant to give Hungary any strong commissioner position, and many predict that Várhelyi will be given a hard time during his parliamentary committee hearing.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev hold a meeting at Ak Saray Presidential Palace in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 23 August 2024.

Azerbaijani and Uzbek Green Energy to Be Exported to Europe through Hungary

Hungary has been proactive in building strong economic ties and investing in energy production in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. Hungarian companies, such as MVM and MOL groups, play a key role in oil production in Kazakhstan and natural gas production in Azerbaijan. Notably, Hungary recently acquired a 5 per cent share in Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz natural gas field. The successful operations of Hungarian businesses in these countries, combined with the development of economic and transit projects, have elevated Hungary’s role within the EU as a bridge to these energy-rich nations, enhancing the EU’s access to diversified energy resources.

Hungary Addresses EU Concerns Over Belarusian, Russian Worker Visas

Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pintér has addressed the European Commission’s concerns regarding the extension of the Hungarian National Cards programme to Russia and Belarus. In a letter sent to Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, Pintér emphasized that Belarusian and Russian guest workers arriving in Hungary would undergo thorough screening to ensure compliance with EU regulations and would not pose a threat to the national security of Schengen member states.

Hungarian Conservative is a quarterly magazine on contemporary political, philosophical and cultural issues from a conservative perspective.

ABOUT

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

PRIVACY POLICY

LOG IN

CONTACT

info@hungarianconservative.com

© Hungarian Conservative 2025

POWERED by BLACKDEVS

Search

About

SUBSCRIBE

Tired of browsing?

Choose the Hungarian Conservative newsletter. Sign up for free – cancel anytime.

By signing up, you consent to receive our newsletter and allow Hungarian Conservative to use your data for marketing purposes. You can unsubscribe at any time.