Before their talks, the two politicians met at the Hungarian-German football match.Continue reading
Economic cooperation forms the bedrock of German-Hungarian relations, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Berlin on Friday after bilateral talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Both leaders agreed to further strengthen economic ties.
Viktor Orbán highlighted that last year, trade between the two countries hit a record high of over EUR 70B, with a quarter of Hungarian exports going to Germany. Additionally, German companies employ 250,000 to 300,000 people in Hungary, mainly in the automotive sector.
Mr. Orbán noted a shared understanding with Chancellor Scholz regarding the generational shift in the automotive industry, stressing the importance of Hungary remaining integral to this technological evolution.
Hungary is one of only three countries in the world where all three major German car manufacturers are present,” he pointed out.
He underscored Hungary’s key role in supporting German industry, contributing to job creation, economic growth, and tax revenues. “This is the backbone of German-Hungarian relations,” the Prime Minister said.
Hungarian-German economic cooperation is at its peak. We agreed with @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz to expand this cooperation further. pic.twitter.com/xUnXbRgFsc
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) June 23, 2024
Both politicians stressed the need to boost the EU’s global competitiveness. Viktor Orbán revealed Hungary’s readiness to propose a comprehensive plan to enhance European competitiveness, stating, “Europe should not isolate itself but expand economic relations and be ready to compete globally.”
Addressing conflicts with Manfred Weber, Mr. Orbán clarified that these were not German-Hungarian issues. “Manfred Weber is a Hungarophobic man who hates Hungarians,” he claimed, attributing Mr. Weber’s failure to become President of the European Commission to Hungarian opposition.
Regarding Hungary’s EU Presidency priorities, Viktor Orbán highlighted improving Europe’s demographic situation and supporting families.
He reaffirmed a firm stance on migration, asserting, “we will do our utmost to ensure that Europe remains Europe for Europeans.”
On the topic of gender issues, Prime Minister Orbán stated, “the whole gender issue, which upsets the traditional European order of child-rearing and coexistence, is not on the agenda of the Hungarian Presidency. We have a life; we want to live as we have lived so far.”
Chancellor Scholz echoed the importance of robust economic cooperation, reinforcing the mutual benefits of strengthened ties between Germany and Hungary.
Via MTI; Featured Image: Facebook / Orbán Viktor