Yes, that will probably change.
Don't stick your neck out there.
Didn't they tell you not to spill at work?
I only want to spill.
It was.
The decision of my boss.
Questions.
Listen, everyone, the journalists are coming.
Listen, because they're coming.
Journalists, please come to the sector here.
On.
Knees.
No.
No.
Father.
Listen, listen.
No.
Hello.
Calm down, slowly, we'll wait.
All right.
The other way around.
Good day. Welcome to the press conference after the meeting of Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the new Prime Minister of Hungary, Peter Magyar. Mr. Prime Minister, please take the floor.
Welcome on this very festive day. Mr. Prime Minister, Peter, my friend, we are all very moved in Poland, almost all of us, because for many months we have been watching the course of events in your homeland with growing emotion and growing hope.
I don't like grandiose formulations or pompous words, but your historic victory in Hungary is not only the return of Hungary to Europe, to high standards, to honesty, to true democracy. It is also a sign of hope for millions of people in Europe and around the world that democracy, the rule of law, decency, morality in politics — that these are not lost causes.
We have often talked about this, we have often commented on this lack of faith that appeared a few years ago in Europe, in the entire Western world, that these traditional values, to which both you and I are so attached, that these traditional values will survive, that the free world must lose to corruption, to authoritarianism, to dishonesty, to violence.
What we managed to do in Poland in 2023, and this incredibly brilliant victory — few believed in it. You believed, I believed, but few believed that it was possible, this great victory in Hungary. These are testimonies that all these values, if they find defenders, if they find people willing to sacrifice time, health, strength, and in some places around the world also life — if such people are found, then our world is not lost.
I wanted to say this in your presence so that you would know that you have friends in Poland. I would even say, perhaps, political followers. We know how to appreciate courage. That has always united Hungarians and Poles — the awareness that important matters require courage, heart. Thank you for accepting this heart in Hungarian colors. I always wear a heart in Polish colors, because we both know well that any evil can be overcome if one has heart, if one believes in one's own nation.
Our Polish-Hungarian relations have traditionally been very good, with a certain interruption. I never hid the fact that the last years of Viktor Orbán's rule were not only a problem for Hungary but also a dramatic chapter in Polish-Hungarian relations for various reasons. But they were never bad relations between Poles and Hungarians. We simply had a different point of view on most important matters in politics.
Today, Peter Magyar is the guarantor that these traditional words about Polish-Hungarian friendship, about brothers-in-arms, we no longer have to repeat these words like spells, but we will show through daily work that Hungary and Poland, like one fist, in Brussels, in geopolitical matters, and in settling various common interests, because we have almost exclusively common interests.
Thank you very much for the declaration made during our talks about your readiness to renew and once again make the Visegrád Group vital. These are precisely the last weeks of the Hungarian presidency in the Visegrád Group. If you manage to organize a Visegrád Group summit in Budapest, I will be more than happy. I have waited for this moment for many, many years — to once again sit at one table with a Hungarian, a Slovak, and a Czech and talk about what we can do together for our nations and in Europe.
The revitalization of the Visegrád Group is a broader project. We have an identical view with the Prime Minister here, and we also have a common interest as both nations that Central and Eastern Europe, from its northern borders to its south, for geopolitical reasons, because of common views, because of common actions regarding illegal migration, should become a place where the fate of Europe is also decided. Both Peter Magyar and I, without any complexes, can say that we not only know Europe, we have gotten to know the European Union from the inside, but we can also say that without any complexes we intend to restore the significance of this region, and Polish-Hungarian cooperation will be absolutely key.
Poland and Hungary are made for this under such leadership as the leadership of our guest today, so that Europe becomes more like us, because we have a great deal to offer Europe, and they will listen to us. Of that you can be certain. We will still talk today about the geopolitical situation. As you know, a lot is happening, too much, but for now we have talked about our mutual relations.
Thank you very much for the declaration of full cooperation from the Hungarian state regarding the problems that weighed on Polish-Hungarian relations in recent weeks before you became Prime Minister. The issue of politicians pursued by the Polish state who face very serious charges. We will cooperate in such a way that such situations will never occur again. Thank you for this declaration of full cooperation. Poland will also be ready to provide both help and cooperation when such need arises regarding energy security.
In Poland we managed to achieve full independence in a very short time through the diversification of energy resource supplies. Dependence on a single state — remember, Poland was 90% dependent on Russian gas and oil supplies. That always makes sovereignty somewhat illusory. Today we are fully independent of supplies. We have the possibility of multi-directional action. I will offer, if the need arises, cooperation, help, investment in infrastructure, so that the entire region is truly autonomous and as self-sufficient as possible regarding energy supplies and energy sources.
We will also work on a common European position on the issue of Ukraine. We present a similar view. Ukraine, as you know, is very interested in accelerating accession negotiations. Ukraine very much desires membership in the European Union. Poland is fully well-disposed toward these plans, but of course, also in light of our experience regarding the economic situation, we will not only observe all the rules that also applied to Poland when joining the European Union, and I count here on cooperation with the Hungarian government — friendly cooperation and critical when necessary. I think we will be able to work out a common position very quickly.
Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, and I would like to invite the Prime Minister of Hungary, Peter Magyar, to take the floor.
Thank you very much.
Polish friends,
Minister,
May I stand here next to the Prime Minister of Poland? I come from a family where...
children,
village.
At Balaton, we were at the village, and this is exactly where during the Second World War the Poles...
the Poles, more of them,
at the village of Balatonboglár, their school...
eternal program,
we placed the memorial,
that we laid flowers,
before,
Hungarian,
went,
they know them, about a Polish diplomat and a Hungarian government commissioner — there was talk of both of them; the world truly chose them. Besides, they were...
Polish,
Polish,
official prime ministerial visit,
since then,
I have been talking about this,
the campaign,
it was a difficult campaign,
but,
from Poland too,
began,
office,
ministers,
as many sides of Poland as possible,
to go to those villages. Simply, I wanted to say that it is very important to always...
important to always...
Donald,
but earlier,
we can,
phone call,
we received, we received the message,
what a special, particular relationship between the two countries, Poland and Hungary,
opportunity,
Polish,
I said,
we,
I told them,
Many go to Poland,
the south was the children,
other,
my work,
who regularly,
more and more,
I,
let me speak about this,
the common past, sometimes a very difficult past — everyone knows the Polish-Hungarian...
we,
Poland is stronger,
and I believe that soon it will be stronger,
we agreed with the Prime Minister that for a strong Europe we need...
a strong Europe,
Hungary,
Hungary,
and for that, Europe needs its old strength, its old glory, strength, capability,
proud of itself,
able to cooperate with each other, Central Europe,
of the entire region of Europe,
Hungarian friendship,
for a long time, now we can open a new chapter,
and we can,
and we can strengthen this bond. It is important that the past...
this bond. It is important that the past...
whoever does not know that history, does not understand it, does not deserve it,
does not deserve it,
and deserves it,
but for us here, together, we must be worthy of the heroes,
we must be worthy of the heroes,
of the kings,
the children of,
the Prime Minister has three grandsons, I have three sons — a new generation,
the Prime Minister has three grandsons, I have three sons — a new generation,
generation,
they were here with us,
every partner,
partner,
Prime Minister,
Slovakia,
cooperation,
whether with the Scandinavians,
cooperation,
whether with the Scandinavians,
or with Austria,
Croatia,
Romania,
Romania,
those who are in Europe, in Europe,
Europe,
working,
more strongly,
than,
Hungary,
Visegrád meeting — so on this occasion I officially invite,
here officially,
finally,
new,
Prime Minister,
all of us,
city,
Minister,
Minister,
flow,
key importance,
on these areas we can certainly cooperate more than before,
on these areas we can certainly cooperate more than before,
in other areas we would gladly...
Polish-Hungarian,
politics,
since,
politics has somehow developed since the regime change that the Polish changes...
changes,
at that time it was a very difficult period,
that means Poland,
Donald, we,
problems,
had to face problems after winning the election,
had to face problems after winning the election,
problems,
with EU funds,
funds,
Minister,
Poland,
since obviously fantastic results have been achieved,
since obviously fantastic results have been achieved,
You see, we arrived by train,
and well, we got off the train,
whether there, on the road,
on the road,
an example of,
in Poland,
in Portugal,
unfortunately Hungary,
to this extent,
at some point, when in 2004,
Poland, Hungary,
European,
Poland,
Hungary, one,
Polish example,
whether in defense, can become a regional center,
regional center,
in industry, in food — and I believe that we should not envy. We should learn from our neighbors, we should not regret, we must together...
in industry, in food — and I believe that we should not envy. We should learn from our neighbors, we should not regret, we must together...
regret,
neighbors have to learn, but we must together...
together on this,
whether energy,
field,
these,
I am glad that the ministers joined me, and that they too can hold bilateral talks,
I am glad that the ministers joined me, and that they too can hold bilateral talks,
can hold,
as the Minister mentioned, we will obviously touch on more sensitive issues as well.
as the Minister mentioned, we will obviously touch on more sensitive issues as well.
Hungary,
there will not be, there will not be,
will not wait for me,
the Prime Minister will be invited, and so it happened,
the Prime Minister will be invited, and so it happened,
directly from Hungary,
departed to a,
another one, and the news from Poland,
left Hungary,
the Prime Minister is ready in everything,
Poland,
with this,
due to the Prime Minister's tight schedule, I kindly ask for time discipline, and I ask for the first question.
Thank you. Daniel from Telex to Prime Minister Tusk: I would like to ask what is your position on the new Hungarian government's stance on buying Russian energy, oil and gas. Your government has earlier said that whoever buys energy from Russia is supporting their war. How do you view the new government's position on this? And to the Hungarian Prime Minister, I would like to ask what is your opinion on the Polish position, on the possible end of the Russian-Ukrainian war — that Poland firmly supports the Ukrainians with weapons, financially as well, and continuously increasing pressure on the Russians so that the war ends.
We diversified our sources of energy, and for me the most important thing is to make the whole region as independent as possible. I started this process 14 years ago when I was talking about an energy union in the EU to protect the whole region, Europe, the whole region, my country, and if needed also to help Hungary to be as independent as possible, because full independence in energy...
we have European,
we have European,
rights,
they go to certain areas,
I emphasize here,
what I said,
Ukraine, everything at its disposal,
at its disposal,
its territorial sovereignty and integrity,
its territorial sovereignty and integrity,
Ukraine's independence, territorial integrity — the 1991 Budapest Memorandum guarantees it,
Ukraine's independence, territorial integrity — the 1991 Budapest Memorandum guarantees it,
guarantees it,
everyone is encouraged,
We want everyone to do everything possible,
everything possible,
whether millions, but on the Ukrainian side,
on the side of,
that is everyone's goal, and that goal is that there should be a ceasefire as soon as possible,
that is everyone's goal, and that goal is that there should be a ceasefire as soon as possible,
just as the Budapest Memorandum truly guarantees its observance,
just as the Budapest Memorandum truly guarantees its observance,
Ukraine's security,
integrity,
European Parliament,
we,
those in the European Parliament,
in Kyiv,
I,
turned,
people, humanitarian,
I was in Kyiv,
there,
I saw,
Ukraine,
smaller because of,
the war must be ended as soon as possible — there are views,
the war must be ended as soon as possible — there are views,
of this,
how it would help,
what tools we have,
we, I myself,
Prime Minister,
possible,
Hungary,
in a small Europe,
this series of negotiations will proceed quickly and successfully. As I mentioned and as I proposed, sometime in June we will be able to meet with President Zelensky,
this series of negotiations will proceed quickly and successfully. As I mentioned and as I proposed, sometime in June we will be able to meet with President Zelensky,
As I mentioned and as I proposed, sometime in June we will be able to meet with President Zelensky,
sometime in June we will be able to meet with President Zelensky,
Zelensky, President,
Hungary,
we, in which,
conditions,
Ukraine,
the first chapter,
about law, about democracy — a strong Ukrainian side that can settle the Hungarian minority situation,
a strong Ukrainian side that can settle the Hungarian minority situation,
a strong Ukrainian side that can settle the Hungarian minority situation,
Hungarian minority situation,
And the next question, please.
Good day. Danas 19:30. Mr. Prime Minister, Russia openly threatens Latvia with an attack. Air alarm today in Lithuania. How should one respond to this? How should it be reacted to? And in the context of the American troops, how would you comment on the latest signals and what next? Thank you.
I warned many months ago, also a few weeks ago, that an escalation could occur — not only regarding the Ukrainian-Russian war, but also regarding the entire eastern flank. I am not surprised that for the past dozen days there have been signals indicating that chaos could also affect our neighbors, particularly the Baltic states, not through their fault. Also today's incident with the drone over Vilnius, a few dozen hours ago — that was Estonia. This war leads to the fact that, of course, there will be hundreds of different interpretations — whether it was a Ukrainian drone, later, whether Russian. One thing is certain: this war, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, causes the threat to other borders to be genuinely real.
When I spoke about this a dozen days ago, it aroused emotions also in Poland among some commentators. And I want to repeat this emphatically once again. Today, fortunately, I am no longer alone. The Russian-Ukrainian war, Russia's aggressive policy toward Ukraine and its neighborhood, could lead — and in a not-too-distant time — to a situation in which a firm response will be needed. I am convinced that all of NATO, including our American allies, will treat potential threats and provocations very seriously — provocations that may appear, let us call things by their name, are already appearing at this moment, particularly in relation to our Baltic neighbors.
That is why Polish-Hungarian cooperation throughout the region, cooperation with the countries — as you know, I have put a great deal of energy and work into this with the Baltic and Nordic countries — on strengthening the protection of the European-Russian border. All of this must effectively deter potential provocateurs. The situation is serious. We are increasingly better prepared for every scenario. We would like to avoid bad events, but I am not among those who will close their eyes to reality and pretend that nothing is happening. I do not want to frighten anyone. There is no direct threat to Poland at this moment. No, no, that is not what we are talking about, but the threat of provocations of various kinds is becoming a fact.
I do not know whether the information has reached you about the arrest today of three citizens of the Republic of Poland. Based on an investigation by the Internal Security Agency, it was conclusively established that they carried out intelligence tasks and were also preparing for possible sabotage actions in Poland on behalf of the Russian Federation. These are unfortunately Polish citizens. The case is also developing. They were also involved in disinformation regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war and in anti-Ukrainian propaganda actions. They were also involved in the process of organizing weapons for the Russians in Donbas. There is no joking. In these matters there is truly no room for complacency.
Regarding the statement to which we were witnesses — the Pentagon's, Mr. Hegseth's, after the conversation with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. It should, of course, to a large extent, calm emotions. I take very seriously the declarations of our closest ally regarding the nature of these changes, this strategic correction. No one can be surprised. The Americans have been announcing this for a long time — that they will be correcting their policy, including their strategic presence in Europe, and that they will expect greater responsibility from Europe for its own security. Some may like this, some may not, but this position was quite clear from the very beginning of President Trump's term, and one must know how to handle it, and one must respect and take seriously this kind of announcement, particularly when it is our closest ally speaking.
I received with joy the declaration from Washington that, regarding Poland, it will be treated as it deserves. Poland is an exceptional ally, and the Americans see and appreciate this. The statement by Vice President Vance at roughly the same time confirms, in turn, the determination of the Washington administration to reduce its presence in Europe and to expect greater responsibility from Europe. Poland is the most engaged of all NATO member states in increasing its own security and Europe's security through spending, through building a modern army. We have nothing to reproach ourselves with here, and I deeply believe that all allies without exception will draw practical conclusions from this and appreciate this fact.
Thank you very much. Would the Prime Minister like to add anything? No. We conclude here. So thank you very much. Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Ministers. And now... Thank you very much. The next point of the visit. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Remember this five. Go, go, go.
