Hungary | Central European Journal of International and Security Studies

Central Europe in the World

Twenty years since the end of its artificial dismemberment and Central Europe continues to evolve as a unique political, economic and social space. Yet, there is no escaping the contagious political dynamics unfolding in Europe, and post-Cold War Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have rapidly emerged as pillars of regional and international relations.

Located in the heart of Central Europe, CEJISS is proud to announce the launching of a new media service freely available to our electronic readership: clear and concise summaries and political analyses of key issues which link the countries and peoples of Central Europe to the rest of the world.

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(EUBus/03/03/2012) Following criticism from the EU Commission and its threat to freeze €495 million from funds to Hungary, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused it of of lacking "democratic legitimacy." However, he agreed to negotiate some of his reforms. (by Elena Sozinova)

(RomTimes/27/02/2012) Hungary is seeking to build a strategic partnership with Romania. According to Hungarian Foreign Affairs Secretary Nemeth Zsolt, the partnership will embrace such areas as infrastructure, transportation, the common agriculture policy, the Danube strategy and foreign and security issues. (by Elena Sozinova)

(Eurob/11/01/2012) The European Commission has warned Hungary to change parts of its constitution. The Commission stated it had "concerns" about the independence of the Hungarian national central bank, the national data protection authority and the judiciary particularly, regarding plans for mandatory early retirement of judges and prosecutors. (by Elena Sozinova)

(TanJug/05/12/2011) Hungary's support for Serbia's European integration is now unconditional, Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi expressed on 05 December, after Serbia's parliament passed a new 'rehabilitation' law. The modified law does not include the principle of collective guilt and has emphasised individual responsibility focus instead. (by Elena Sozinova)

(EuNws/25/11/2011) Moody's downgraded Hungary's foreign and local currency bonds to Ba1 from Baa3, ending 15 years of investment status. (by Elena Sozinova)

(PoHu/21/11/2011) Hungary's President, Pal Schmitt, visited Turkey to discuss amongst other issues Europe's energy security. According to Schmitt, Turkey expressed interest in building the Nabucco gas pipeline, which would provide alternatives to the existing networks and raise the security of energy supply for Europe. (by Elena Sozinova)

(BpT/23/102011) Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Budapest on 23 October to protest against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's right-wing Fidesz government. (Elena Sozinova)

(CNN/21/10/2011) Hungary failed to obtain enough votes to become a non-permanent member of UN Security Council for the period of 2012-2013. (Elena Sozinova)

(PoHu/24/10/2011) Former Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, declared that he was leaving the Socialist Party to start a new Democratic Coalition party; a 'Western-style, civic centre-left' formation. (Elena Sozinova)

(PoHu/20/10/2011) The LMP together with the Socialist opposition supported the idea of quota to encourage womens' representation in public life. Hungary has the lowest percentage of females in politics compared to 24 other EU states. A modern approach to women should include 'work and family' rather than 'work or family.' (Vera Artemyeva)

(PoHu/17/10/2011) According to Hungary's new constitution, effective as of 01 January 2012, the Constitutional Court is forced to make its decisions in accordance with both the contemporary and the country's so-called historic constitution. As Constitutional Court Judge István Stumpf pointed out, this means that the top court may base its decisions on medieval laws such as the Golden Bull of 1222 or the Blood Contract of the 9th century. (Elena Sozinova)

(PoHu/16/09/2011) European energy companies signed an agreement with the Russia's Gazprom for the construction of the 'South Stream' gas pipeline under the Black Sea for the transportation of Russian natural gas to: Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, and Italy. This project may be extended to include: Croatia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. (Vera Artemyeva)

(04/10/2011/PoHu) Both Hungary's government and the opposition condemn Serbia's new restitution law, under which members of occupation forces 1941-1945 and their descendants are excluded from restitution of their former properties. Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen said that Hungary rejected the idea of collective guilt, and that the idea also went against basic European Union principles and fundamental human rights. (by Elena Sozinova)

(01/10/2011/TorSun) As Canada receives thousands of dubious refugee claims from Hungarian citizens, there is a call for drastic action. Between January and August of this year, 13% (2,045 people) of all refugee claims to Canada were made from Hungary, keeping Hungary as Canada's top source of refugee claims. (by Elena Sozinova)

(22/09/2011/PoHu) The European Court has ruled that Hungary is guilty of unlawfully holding two African asylum seekers for five months. The country has been ordered to pay 20,000 as compensation. (by Vera Artemyeva)

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