Viktor Orbán has made a historic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the past two days, marking the first time a Hungarian prime minister has officially visited the increasingly influential Gulf nation. During his visit, Orbán met with UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed to discuss bilateral relations in key areas, including energy, security, counterterrorism, trade, and more.
‘Today, the United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s most important financial, commercial, and transport centres. There is fierce competition for economic and investment opportunities here, from New York to Paris to Beijing,’ Orbán stated in a post on his Facebook page. The Hungarian prime minister added that Hungary has entered this competition, which will lead to rising wages and a stronger middle class.
Following the meeting, Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó highlighted the rapid development of bilateral economic relations, noting that trade between Hungary and the UAE reached half a billion dollars last year. This time, an agreement was reached to expand cooperation into new sectors.
‘Inter-company cooperation is now being launched in the fields of oil and gas production, energy, and renewable energy. In addition, there is a mutual commitment to strengthening ties in the banking sector, the digital industry, telecommunications, and the defence industry,’ Szijjártó stated. He also highlighted that cooperation in the food industry will continue to expand as planned.
‘Today, the United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s most important financial, commercial, and transport centres’
Szijjártó further pointed out that while the European Union’s competitiveness has declined dramatically in recent years, the Gulf region has experienced dynamic growth. ‘It would be in the European Union’s interest to foster closer cooperation with the Gulf region,’ he explained.
He recalled that past attempts to establish a large-scale, comprehensive free trade agreement between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council ultimately failed. ‘Thus, we propose that the European Union should start free trade negotiations with the United Arab Emirates separately. The success of these negotiations could make a significant contribution to improving the economic competitiveness of the European Union,’ he said.
Szijjártó then stressed that humanity is currently living in an era of dangers, with wars and armed conflicts in many parts of the world, and the threat of terrorism becoming increasingly serious.
‘It is no coincidence that the United Arab Emirates is respected and appreciated in international politics, as it has been able to act as a moderating influence not only in the Gulf and the Middle East, but also in many parts of the world, through its stabilising, restrained, and moderate policy, in order to resolve and mitigate violent or armed conflicts,’ he said, underlining Abu Dhabi’s key role in the global fight against terrorism.
‘Strengthening relations with the UAE is a key element in laying the foundations of Hungary’s new economic policy’
‘We have reaffirmed our commitment to continue working closely in international organizations and international politics to ensure the success of all initiatives that bring peace, move armed conflicts towards resolution, and reduce the global threat of terrorism,’ he added.
The minister concluded by emphasizing that bilateral relations are built on mutual respect, with both countries committed to combating terrorism, ending armed conflicts, and promoting peace.
Balázs Orbán, the political director of the Hungarian prime minister, also shared a lengthy post on X about Viktor Orbán’s visit, highlighting the UAE’s growing importance in the emerging new world order. ‘If Hungary can position itself to build a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates, it will be an important breakthrough for our country given their significant economic weight,’ he stated.
As he underscored, strengthening relations with the UAE is a key element in laying the foundations of Hungary’s new economic policy, which aims to secure the country’s continued development, economic growth, rising wages, and a leap forward for businesses—in other words, a stronger Hungarian middle class.
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