“His election victory is an inspiration for the whole of Europe. Péter Magyar has proven that the pendulum doesn't just swing in the illiberal or authoritarian direction, but can also swing back toward the centre,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar in Berlin, following bilateral talks at the Chancellor’s Office. The subjects of Ukraine and European cooperation were also discussed and Péter Magyar also commented on the recent interview Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok gave to a German paper. He also mentioned that he is ready to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky as early as next week.Merz said he was pleased that Péter Magyar had come to Berlin so soon after taking office. In his view, inauguration visits always mark a new beginning, which is especially true of this visit. “Once again, I congratulate Péter Magyar on his victory; this is a significant turning point in Hungary’s history after the Cold War, and in the eyes of many in the country, Péter Magyar is a beacon of hope in this period,” he said.Merz is confident that Magyar will be able to lead the country back into the heart of Europe, and he promised to be a partner in terms of both economic and other factors. According to the German Chancellor, this is the second positive message from Hungary since 1989. “This election result, and the fact that we can once again work together to overcome Europe’s divisions,” he said.Merz also brought up the issue of support for Ukraine. In his view, we are living in a time when Europe’s freedom and unity are under threat from Russia. “Moscow’s war in Ukraine presents us with fundamental challenges.” According to the Chancellor, solidarity is important, and this includes policy toward Ukraine. “We understand that Budapest needs to clarify bilateral issues, such as the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, but this cannot come at the expense of European support and must not divert us from the goal of finally officially launching accession negotiations with Ukraine,” the Chancellor stated. In his view, these steps bring us closer to peace.The German Chancellor also spoke about improving competitiveness, saying that this must be addressed in Europe in order to ensure success. A process has been launched in this regard, and “I would like to invite Hungary to actively participate in it,” he said. To this end, for example, a decision must be made on the EU’s multiannual financial framework before the end of this year. Magyar and Merz will also meet in Brussels in two weeks at the EU summit, where these issues will be discussed as well.Péter Magyar spoke about the special place Germans hold in the hearts of Hungarians. “I was pleased to see that the role Hungarians played in tearing down the Iron Curtain lives on in the hearts of Germans,” he said. The Prime Minister said that Hungary is a proud, freedom-loving, and sincere country. “I am glad that we can celebrate the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution in a free country again, he added. He also invited Merz to the ceremony which is being organised for the anniversary.The Hungarian Prime Minister said that the mandate they received in the election comes with a huge responsibility, which is why expectations are high both in Hungary and across Europe. He added that it is good to see that EU member states look forward to cooperating with the Hungarian government. “European leaders are pleased that Hungary is returning to the European table as a free, sovereign country,” he said. He told the Chancellor that Hungary would be a constructive partner, ready to discuss migration, foreign policy, and competitiveness. “I did not promise the Chancellor that we would always agree on everything, but I can assure him that we will always be there,” he stated. In his view, it is perfectly normal if there are going to be lengthy debates.Péter Magyar said that Germany is a very important economic partner for Hungary. He is proud of the work done by German companies and of the fact that so many Hungarians contribute to Germany’s development. He mentioned to Merz that German investment and Hungarian determination can achieve fantastic things together. “We’re happy to see as many investors as possible coming to Hungary,” he said. They will sit down with German investors, listen to them, and do everything they can to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries and attract even more investment to Hungary.Magyar assured Merz that the new Hungarian government would do everything in its power to ensure that Hungary could purchase energy from as many sources as possible. "On the one hand, for the sake of energy security, and on the other, because of the price," he said.The topic of negotiations between Ukraine and Hungary also came up, which are currently underway between the two sides regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. According to Magyar, these negotiations are progressing well, and he is confident that the expert-level negotiations could be concluded this week. After that, the Prime Minister would be ready to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky. “Sometime early next week, provided we actually manage to reach an agreement,” he said. He is optimistic that the disputes that have dragged on for 10 years will be resolved, and that a new chapter will be opened in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations.Regarding the V4 meeting on June 23, the Prime Minister said that he will propose expanding the group and inviting Austria, Slovenia, and Germany, among others. Péter Magyar invited Friedrich Merz and his government to Budapest. “Ich bin ein Berliner”—the Prime Minister quoted Kennedy’s words from Berlin at the end of his speech.In response to a question from Hungarian public television about economic relations, Péter Magyar said that he and the Chancellor had discussed how German companies would be happy to come to Hungary and how those already present would also expand their operations. He said that corruption had been the obstacle to expansion so far, but he assured the Chancellor that they would fight to eradicate corruption. If these measures prove effective and they are able to create a business-friendly environment, even more German companies will come, which could also improve the standard of living for Hungarians.The German press asked Péter Magyar and Friedrich Merz about the resolution of minority rights and military aid to Ukraine. In Magyar's view, his government has been clear on this issue; it is a fundamental expectation that the rights of the Hungarian minority be guaranteed. “Hungarians living in Ukraine are asking for nothing more than their basic rights. There’s no need to make a big deal out of this, because an agreement is close at hand,” the Prime Minister stated. Merz, meanwhile, said he shares Péter Magyar’s position on Ukraine. “As for military support: we will now negotiate with the new Hungarian government, but we will not waver in our own commitment to Ukraine,” Merz said. Magyar reiterated here as well that Hungary will send neither soldiers nor weapons to Ukraine.Deutsche Welle asked Péter Magyar about Tamás Sulyok’s interview with Cicero, in which Katalin Novák’s name was omitted from the Hungarian version. According to Péter Magyar, the current President of the Republic is Viktor Orbán’s “puppet,” and this case shows how Orbán’s censorship and the President’s censorship work: they cut out and omit anything they don’t like. He pointed out to the German press that the word “Russian” had previously been removed from a Facebook post by Tamás Sulyok when he wrote about the Russian attack in Mukachevo (a town near the Hungarian border in Ukraine). Péter Magyar said that the President who is now complaining to the foreign press is the same one who has done nothing in the past two years, who failed to represent the unity of the Hungarian nation, who stood by silently as children were ruined in children’s homes by “pedophile monsters,” and stood by silently as Viktor Orbán used the secret services to try to “destroy” the largest opposition party”. Standing before the German press, he also recalled that Viktor Orbán had called members of the opposition media and NGOs “bugs,” a remark that Tamás Sulyok also let pass without comment.“A person like that would do better to keep quiet rather than go abroad to complain about his own country,”he said. He added that they had been given a mandate to do this; one of their most important campaign promises was that if they won a two-thirds majority, they would remove “these puppets.” “That is exactly what we will do.”German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Péter Magyar on the balcony of the Chancellor's Office in Berlin on June 2, 2026 – Photo: Christian Marquardt / ReutersThe German media also asked Péter Magyar about the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and what advice he would give Merz on the matter. “Who am I to give advice on domestic political issues to a German chancellor?” the Prime Minister replied. He recalled that two years ago, they had formed a movement against all odds, and after travelling millions of kilometres, giving countless speeches, and touring the country, they won the election. “Many people ask about the reason for Tisza’s success; I can say that it was work, work, and work,” he stated. In his view, they received such a massive mandate because they went to places where “not only no living politician, but not even a dead one had ever set foot.” Merz thanked him for the brief description of the Hungarian election campaign.A flurry of diplomatic activityThe Prime Minister announced last week that he would continue his series of bilateral meetings across Europe during his fourth week in office. Following his visit to Berlin, he will travel on to Paris on Tuesday afternoon, where he will meet with President Macron and the President of the French National Assembly on Wednesday. “We will continue working to strengthen Hungary’s position in Europe, within the Western alliance system,” Magyar said on Monday in his parliamentary address, referring to the two trips. Orbán and his government have left behind strained relations with both the Germans and the French.The flurry of diplomatic activity continues on Thursday, with Magyar set to welcome Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to Budapest. Their meeting could be significant because Ireland will assume the rotating EU presidency in July, and it is during this period that the details about the unlocking of EU funds allocated to Hungary may be worked out.Péter Magyar and members of his government have been actively touring Europe in recent weeks: they first travelled to Poland, where they met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Karol Nawrocki, and then went to see Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker the following day. The Prime Minister and his delegation were in Brussels last week, where they announced an agreement on EU funds with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, but before that, they also met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Péter Magyar will soon be hosting leaders at an important international meeting: the V4 summit will take place in Budapest on June 23.For more quick, accurate and impartial news from and about Hungary, subscribe to the Telex English newsletter!