Nine years after the previous national foreign policy update, Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Hungarian Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee, published an English-language article in conservative Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet, highlighting the eight fundamental values of the country’s foreign policy in a post-pandemic world.
The article marks a departure from previous practice in two respects: first, the makers of Hungarian foreign policy do not routinely summarize the country’s basic diplomatic tenets, and even less so in English in an otherwise Hungarian paper.
Below we are going to follow Németh’s own ranking of these points, with one exception: highlighting point 5., “A Europe that serves us”.
“Despite Hungary’s frustrations, the European Union – along with the European Council – are some of the most important structures of western civilization and we view them as such,” Németh writes. “Hungary’s European politics does not seek ‘less Europe’ but rather the guarantee of freedom, prosperity and security for all citizens; the institutions which were established to serve citizens are becoming all too oppressive.”
1. Reach a better position
Németh writes that the pandemic has put the spotlight on the debate whether national or international organizations should have more power. He points out that Hungary aims to protect and promote its national interests and sovereignty while at the same time improving the country’s relative position.
2. Security and technology enhancement competition
“Power dynamics are traditionally defined by three factors: economic strength, military strength, and the relevant strategies to develop and utilize these. However, a fourth factor has been added: health conditions and security,” Németh writes, adding that digitalization can help overcome a nation’s inherent limits, thus “digital development will be a new priority in an effort to bring the country to the technological forefront, while not jeopardizing our sovereignty.”
3. Pragmatic networking
This point is fairly self-explanatory: Németh writes that Hungary – which has common points with all of the world’s major powers in one respect or another, must follow a pragmatic foreign policy towards the United States, Europe, China and Russia, and as there is “no rose without a thorn”, live with its respective choices.
4. A sustainable West
Referring back to the recently finished EU summit, Németh reminds that while Hungary and Poland have won a battle there, the war is far from over.
“Demographic issues, migration, and Europe’s falling behind remain conflicts,” he writes. “The sustainability of the west and our cooperation is based on the freedom, security, and prosperity of our citizens.”
5. A Europe that serves us
In addition to what we highlighted above, Németh also emphasizes that Hungary aims for stronger cooperation in regard to digitalization and a European military.
6. Central European stability
“Some of our most important tools to create stability in the region include Visegrad Group cooperation, the Three Seas Initiative, EU enlargement, as well as our own effective regional politics,” Németh writes.
7. An authentic EU perspective
In this point, Németh firmly reiterates Hungary’s position that the regions to its east and south are a critical component of European security, thus Hungary remains committed to the Balkans enlargement and the EU’s Eastern Neighborhood Policy. In this sense, having a Hungarian, Olivér Várhelyi as EU Commissioner for neighborhood policies is a significant asset.
8. National Neighborhood policy
Last but not least, Németh reminds that in its policy towards neighboring countries Hungary must not only take into account mutual interests and the region’s development potential, but that it also must protect the rights of the Hungarian minority living in these countries.
“The current level of cooperation in the region must be further developed in order to rebuild the area’s economy with special consideration in cultivating Romanian and Ukrainian relations in the same way as with our other bordering neighbors,” he concludes.
Title image: Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Hungarian Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee. (MTI archive/Lajos Soós)
