Central Europe / News
EU allies prepared to back Moldova’s EU accession bid without Ukraine if Hungary’s veto not lifted
EU member states most supportive of Ukraine are ready to move forward with accession talks for Moldova without Ukraine, if Hungary continues to block progress for Kyiv.
Hungarian Commissioner delays EU plan to curb Russian energy dependence
Hungary's EU Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi raised a last-minute objection to delay the approval of the EU's roadmap for ending the bloc's Russian energy reliance.
Hungary's Fiscal Council raises red flag over government 2026 draft budget plans
Hungary's Fiscal Council has raised concerns over the government's draft budget for 2026, warning that it rests on overly optimistic growth assumptions and contains multiple risks.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.
Hungary requests activation of national escape clause
Hungary is one of a dozen EU members to have formally requested the activation of the national escape clause under the bloc's Stability and Growth Pact, according to a statement by the European Commission.
MOL and TPAO bring upstream partnership to Hungary
Hungarian oil and gas company MOL and Turkish peer TPAO are partnering on hydrocarbon exploration and production in the west of Hungary, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said.
Hungarian policymakers keep rates on hold at 6.5%
The Monetary Council of the National Bank left the base rate unchanged at 6.5% with the overnight deposit and lending rates maintained at 5.50% and 7.50% respectively at a monthly policy meeting on April 29, in line with expectations.
Hungary faces potential EU legal action for quitting ICC
Hungary may face infringement proceedings from the European Commission after announcing to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, a move that could breach EU law despite the ICC not being an EU institution.
Croatia to prioritise economic cooperation as chair of Three Seas Initiative
Zagreb will focus on boosting economic, energy and infrastructure cooperation as it assumes the rotating presidency of the Three Seas Initiative, announced Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Poland imposes sanctions on MyPrice Russian discount supermarket chain
Poland has imposed sanctions on the MyPrice Russian discount supermarket chain, which recently returned to operate in two locatiosn in Poland.
Hungarian analysts are split on MNB’s future course as rate hold looks imminent
The National Bank is widely expected to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.5% at Tuesday's policy meeting, but analysts are split on the course of monetary policy for the remainder of the year.
Hungarian opposition MPs banned from Parliament for first time since regime change
Hungary’s parliament on April 28 approved the suspension of six opposition lawmakers for their role in the chaotic March 18 session, when they protested against legislation restricting assembly rights, specifically banning Budapest Pride.
Hungary and Slovakia warn EU against scrapping unanimity rule over Ukraine membership bid
The leaders of Hungary and Slovakia warned on April 28 against changing the European Union’s unanimity rule, after proposals emerged to bypass their opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession bid.
Donald Trump Jr. tells business forum in Budapest: My job is to connect governments and the private sector
Donald Trump Jr has hailed the strong personal relationship between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and US President Donald Trump as a potential foundation for deepening economic ties between the two countries.
OTP’s AGM approves record dividend, board decides to split CEO and chairman posts
The board of OTP Bank, Hungary's biggest commercial lender, has decided to split the roles of chairman and CEO effective May 1, chairman-CEO Sandor Csanyi told shareholders at the AGM on April 24.
Russian and Belarusian agents accused of plotting attacks on exiled Belarusians in Lithuania
Lithuania’s domestic intelligence agency has accused Russian and Belarusian intelligence services of plotting to carry out violent attacks on Belarusian exiles residing in the country.
Hungary’s commercial property market poised for recovery, National Bank says
The decline in valuation on Hungary's commercial property market came to a halt from Q2 2024 following a prolonged downturn, but weak GDP growth and high investor uncertainty continue to weigh on recovery prospects.
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Exhumations of Polish wartime victims begin in Ukraine after seven-year ban lifted
Polish experts began work to exhume victims of the World War II-era Volhynia massacres in Ukraine’s Ternopil region, the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage said on April 24.
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Protesters return to towns and cities across Slovakia against cabinet’s NGO bill
Protesters returned to the towns and cities across Slovakia in response to the NGO bill, which the left-right cabinet of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico pushed through Parliament last week.
Donald Trump Jr. heads to Budapest in push to expand Trump family's business ties in CEE
Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of the US president, is set to visit Budapest this Friday as part of a regional tour aimed at deepening the Trump family's commercial footprint in Central and Eastern Europe.