Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
15. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on her recent engagement with the new Hungarian Foreign Minister; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37996/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI spoke by telephone to Anita Orbán on 15 April, congratulating her on her nomination as Hungary’s next Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs following elections there on 12 April. I highlighted how greatly encouraged I was by her party’s pledge to move Hungary back into the European mainstream, including in relation to fundamental EU values, the rule of law, human rights and press freedom.
I have since followed up with a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Orbán now that she has formally assumed her senior role in the new Hungarian government.
During our call, I wished her and her colleagues the very best in their preparations for government. I also took the opportunity to commend the Hungarian people who turned out in such high numbers to exercise their democratic choice in the elections.
I assured the Deputy Prime Minister that Ireland looks forward to working constructively with her and her colleagues including during our upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In that connection, I invited her to the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers which will take place in Ireland in September. I look forward to meeting the Deputy Prime Minister soon, at the June Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, her first as Hungary’s Foreign Minister. In that regard, I am greatly encouraged by the government’s newly constructive approach towards EU support for Ukraine along with its more positive position on the opening of accession clusters with Kyiv. Moreover, at the last Foreign Affairs Council, Hungary lifted its long-standing block on the EU’s package of sanctions on violent settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This is a very welcome move.
During our call, Deputy Prime Minister Orbán and I also reviewed bilateral relations. Our nations’ friendship runs deep, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations for which our Embassy in Budapest has developed ambitious plans.
The Deputy Prime Minister has a good understanding of Ireland from her time working in the private sector, a familiarity that I hope we can build on. She and I agreed that we will work together to reinforce bilateral ties between our states.
