Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar arrived in Poland on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, marking his first foreign trip since the election to focus on restoring bilateral ties.
A Fresh Start for Polish-Hungarian Relations
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who began his visit to Poland on Tuesday, stated that Polish-Hungarian relations can return to the high level they once occupied. During a press conference in Krakow following a meeting with Metropolitan Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś, Magyar noted it is a “great honor” that Poland was his first destination after the election.
Magyar is accompanied by six ministers, including Foreign Minister Anita Orban, Minister of Social Relations and Culture Zoltan Tarr, and Minister of Transport and Investment David Vitezy. His upcoming schedule includes meetings in Warsaw with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, President Karol Nawrocki, and the speakers of the Sejm and Senate, Włodzimierz Czarzasty and Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, followed by a visit to Gdańsk to meet former President Lech Wałęsa.
Strengthening the Visegrád Group and Returning to Normalcy
Addressing the future of cooperation, Magyar emphasized the need to return to “normalcy” by focusing on shared interests rather than divisions. He cited the historical tradition of Polish-Hungarian contact and the importance of the Visegrád Group as foundations for progress.
Magyar expressed a goal to strengthen the Visegrád Group, potentially expanding it to include countries such as Austria. He maintained that the best days of this regional cooperation remain in the future rather than the past.
Diplomatic Shifts and Visits in Krakow
The Prime Minister addressed recent changes in diplomatic appointments, describing the removal of ambassadors on political grounds as “quite normal” following a change in government. This follows the announcement by Foreign Minister Anita Orban regarding the dismissal of Istvan Ijgyarto, the Hungarian ambassador to Poland, to ensure the diplomatic corps reflects the new government’s foreign policy direction.
While in Krakow, Magyar greeted Hungarian citizens on Wawel Hill, explored the castle grounds, and walked the Royal Route to the Main Market Square. Krakow Mayor Aleksander Miszalski welcomed the guest, noting that many Poles are pleased with the electoral outcome and the shift in Hungary’s European orientation. The visit concluded with a brief stop at St. Barbara’s Church.
