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A new chapter in German-Hungarian relations: Foreign Minister Wadephul travels to Budapest
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Anita Orbán, Foreign Minister of Hungary © Photothek Media Lab
Foreign Minister Wadephul’s trip to Budapest today is more than a first official visit. It will be the first visit to Hungary by a German Foreign Minister since 2019 – and it comes at a time of great political change in Budapest.
After years of increasing alienation, all the signs are now pointing to rapprochement. The political shift in Hungary that was made possible by the new Government’s election victory provides an opportunity to reposition German-Hungarian relations.
We are now working together to shape this new beginning. While in Budapest, Foreign Minister Wadephul will therefore meet the new Hungarian President, András Bálint Baka, as well as his counterpart, Anita Orbán.
Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:
The political shift in Hungary presents an opportunity to swiftly put our relations back on a foundation of reliability and mutual trust, so I am travelling there with the hope that Hungary is rediscovering its passion for Europe and that the continent as a whole will feel this.
New dynamism in economic relations, too
In Budapest, Foreign Minister Wadephul will also be meeting Economic Affairs Minister István Kapitány and German and Hungarian business representatives. Because the political new beginning should also be tangible in the economic sphere.
A look at the figures shows just how closely our two economies are already linked: more than 6000 German companies are active in Hungary, and 250,000 jobs are attributable to German firms’ engagement and investment in Hungary.
If companies from all EU Member States can once again rely on a level playing field, this will be of huge benefit to the Hungarian economy. I am delighted that a delegation of representatives of German firms and business associations is accompanying me today to discuss exactly which further steps are now needed.
Foreign Minister Wadephul
United by a special history
However, German-Hungarian relations are defined not only by politics and trade. They have a history that is etched deeply into the German memory.
In 1989, Hungary was the first Warsaw Pact country to open its borders to the West, to Austria. Thousands of GDR citizens took that opportunity to leave the country via Hungary. The Berlin Wall fell just a few weeks later.
Given our shared history, it was also important to me to take the opportunity to start over with our friends in Hungary. We will always be grateful to the people of Hungary, as it was they who launched the process in 1989 that ultimately tore down the Iron Curtain and made German reunification possible.
Foreign Minister Wadephul
Today the aim is once again to breathe more life into this special relationship. The fact that Hungarian students now have access to the Erasmus Programme again is an important signal in this context.
Joint responses to new threats
Germany and Hungary also want to talk about how European foreign policy can have more impact. A stronger European foreign policy is in the interest of all Member States. Particularly at a time when Europe’s security and values are under pressure, Germany and Hungary again want to pull harder in the same direction, both at bilateral level and in the EU and NATO frameworks.
Hungary’s new Government has launched key reforms in a short space of time. The return to the rule of law and the implementation of EU provisions are good news for Europe, but primarily for the people in Hungary itself.
Foreign Minister Wadephul