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The day after Easter Monday Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and László Kövér already jumped back to work by meeting with Walter Rosenkranz, President of the National Council of Austria, in Budapest on Tuesday.
Walter Rosenkranz is a member of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which won the parliamentary elections last September. During the meeting, in addition to discussing bilateral topics, the parties also reviewed the impact of Ukraine’s EU accession on Austria and Hungary, including security, economic, and agricultural risks.
Today, I welcomed Walter Rosenkranz, President of the Austrian National Council, to Budapest. Besides discussing key bilateral issues, we focused on the serious risks posed by Ukraine’s EU accession – particularly to our security, economies, and agriculture. pic.twitter.com/t4qHA4cToj
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) April 22, 2025
The excellent relations previously established between Hungary and Austria can continue smoothly, stated László Kövér, Speaker of the National Assembly, after receiving the Austrian National Council President in his office. Kövér pointed out that
the two Speakers now belong to the same political family again, as Walter Rosenkranz became Speaker as a member of the victorious FPÖ, and the FPÖ and Hungary’s Fidesz jointly formed the “Patriots for Europe” party alliance in the European Parliament.
The two countries have traditionally enjoyed good relations, not only due to historical ties but also economic ones: Austria is Hungary’s fourth-largest trading partner and second-largest investor. Moreover, more than 100,000 Hungarian workers contribute to the Austrian economy. Kövér added that the two countries also share similar positions on several global political issues, based on their respective interests. This provides a foundation for continued close cooperation between the two parliaments, not only at the level of the Speakers but also among committees and parliamentary friendship groups.
Walter Rosenkranz (L), László Kövér (R); Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán
Walter Rosenkranz revealed that
the discussion included the joint efforts of Austria and Hungary to support the EU accession of Southeast European countries, an endeavor that, he said, serves not only Europe and the Union, but also the interests of both nations.
The President of the National Council recalled that before the fall of the Iron Curtain, Austria was the easternmost country in the free part of Europe, and Hungary the westernmost in the communist bloc. Since then, both countries have found themselves not just historically, but also geographically in the heart of Europe. “And from this pulsing heart flows much responsibility for both countries – for their parliamentary representatives and their governments – in terms of national development,” Rosenkranz stated.
He also remarked that the thriving cooperation between the parliamentary friendship groups of
the two nations serves as a good example of collaboration.
Lastly, the President of the National Council of Austria stressed the importance of personal meetings in clarifying viewpoints, as opposed to “virtual proclamations.”
László Kövér will once again welcome his Austrian counterpart in May at the conference of EU parliamentary Speakers, where Walter Rosenkranz will deliver the opening speech on the topic of federalism versus national sovereignty.
Via MTI; Featured picture: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Kommunikációs Fõosztály/Benko Vivien Cher