Warsaw (TDI): Hungary’s new Prime Minister Peter Magyar has signalled a major shift in foreign policy direction, saying the country can learn from Poland’s experience in restoring the rule of law, fighting corruption, and rebuilding ties with the European Union.
Magyar made the remarks during his first official foreign visit to Poland after his electoral victory over long-time leader Viktor Orbán, marking a clear political break from the previous government’s strained relations with Brussels and several EU capitals.
In Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed Magyar and described Hungary’s political transition as a “return to Europe,” praising efforts to rebuild democratic standards and strengthen cooperation with the European Union, AFP reported.
“Through our daily work, we shall show that Hungary and Poland are one,” Tusk said during a joint press conference, adding that both countries share common interests in Brussels and across the European political landscape.
Tusk emphasized that Poland and Hungary would now work closely together on geopolitical issues and EU policy coordination, stating that the two nations have “practically nothing but common interests.”
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Magyar, in turn, praised Poland’s recent reforms and said Hungary would benefit from its experience in addressing corruption and restoring institutional credibility.
He also drew parallels between his own electoral victory and Poland’s political shift away from the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which had maintained close ties with Orbán’s government and often clashed with EU institutions.
Magyar said Hungary is seeking to recover access to billions of euros in suspended EU funds, which were frozen during tensions between Brussels and the previous Hungarian administration.
EU officials are expected to engage in renewed discussions with Budapest in the coming days, with further talks anticipated between Magyar and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during an upcoming visit to Brussels.
Polish officials also signalled support for Hungary’s reintegration into EU processes, including assistance in areas such as governance reform and energy diversification.
Tusk noted that Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies, and said Poland would support efforts to reduce that reliance through broader European energy cooperation.
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Magyar also reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense against Russian aggression, marking a notable shift from the previous Hungarian government’s more Russia-friendly stance, despite ongoing sensitivities between Budapest and Kyiv over minority rights issues.
The meeting was widely seen as a symbolic reset in Polish-Hungarian relations and a broader attempt to realign Hungary more closely with mainstream European Union policy frameworks.
