The Tuesday evening music show where You can ask presents: TükeZoo
'TükeZoo will be our next guest on 25 February,
Feb 25, 2014
Feb 24, 2014
Czech leaders support unity of Ukraine
Zeman said it is not possible to invite a politician of a country where people are dying in the streets - reported the Ceske noviny on 19th of February.
The Czech head of state’s invitation to Mr. Yanukovych to
visit Prague in April now applies to the country’s highest
representative, not directly to Mr. Yanukovych himself, the spokesperson
said - wrote the Radio Prague Sunday on Sunday, 23th of February 2014.
politiciansBy the opinion of the Czech foreign minister, Lubomír Zaorálek, all possible action must be taken to prevent the possible breakup of Ukraine. He told that if Ukraine split into a pro-Western part and a part oriented towards Russia it would create a dividing line between individual spheres of influence and that the only legitimate force in the country was its parliament.
By the opinion of Czech president, Miloš Zeman, the rapid calming of the situation in Ukraine has key importance. He issued a statement on Sunday, according to which he regards the preservation of the Ukraine territorial territory as paramount.
people
Hundreds of Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic held an anti-Yanukovych gathering in Prague on Sunday. They held a mass for the 88 victims of the Kiev events at Prague’s Wenceslas Square.
In the same time a concert in support of Ukraine was held on the Prague’s Náměstí Republiky. The concert was free but attendees could send financial support by SMS to the NGO People in Need, a Czech nonprofit, that implements humanitarian relief and long term development projects, educational programs, and human rights programs in crisis regions.
'History is over Yanukovich' but human rights must be watched in Ukraine
'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary welcomes the deal to end the domestic crisis in Ukraine signed on February 21' (...) and 'offers prompt financial aid, of HUF 2 million, for the treatment of those injured'-published the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, 22 February.
Hungarian state secretary for foreign affairs, Zsolt Németh, told in the m1 television channel Monday morning that history is over Yanukovych. However referring to that abolishment of the 2012 language law has been one of the first measures of the acting government, he added that Hungary expects Ukraine to respect minorities rights- reported inforadio.On August 8 2012, Yanukovych signed the law called , “On the principles of language politics,” that allowed ukrainian regions to give Russian or any other minority language the status of an official language if at least 10 percent of the population of that region speaks it as a native language. This law was seemingly made in favour of the minorities but obviously in favour of the Russian minority of Ukraine, approx.17 % of the population of the country, but in some of the eastern regions the rate can reach 21%.
200,000 Hungarians are living in Transcarpatia region.
According to a 2001 survey results, summarized in 2008 by István Csernicskó Vice-Rector of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, nearly 30% of ukrainian population speaks Russian as mother tongue.
Approx. 17% are Russian with Russian nationality and mother tongue, approx. 12% are Ukrainians with Russian mother tongue and 1,52 % other minorities with Russian mother tongue.
Nearly 3 % are minorities speaking their own language as mother tongue, 95% of the Hungarians living in Ukraine do so.
Finally 66% of the population with ukrainian nationality speaks Ukrainian as mother tongue. Together with Russians and other minorities: 67% speaks Ukrainian as mother tongue. People of Maidan do not constitute a homogeneous group, from the beginnings neo-nazi and far-right protesters are fighting with the pro-eu protesters, students and civils of Kiev. the Ukrainian opposition includes the Svoboda, the nationalist party.
Fly Orbán to the…Hungarian-Ukrainian border
On Thursday, 20th of February, the hungarian Prime Minister visited the Hungarian-Ukrainian border region to be briefed about the situation by the police, border guards and healthcare staff. Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér and head of Hungary's Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) János Hajdú, accompanied him. The photo of Burger Barna on PM Viktor Orbán standing by the helicopter, that would fly him to the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, will certainly remain one of the most recalled ones of him, as it really has a hint of heroic action movie.
The news portal Index made a list of key information the PM got during his visit:
At the Záhony border crossing point he knew that there are 6 lanes in both directions.
The guards of the natural border let him know that their lenses can see 4-5 km distance in good time and 1,5 km in bad time.
150 members of the Nyírbátor police forces are available if needed.
In the hospital of Kisvárda he was informed that there are 50 free places, a traumatology and a surgery. Finally Minister of Interior Sándor Pinter told him that 15 thousand people can be laid.
Probably the minister thought of providing a place for sleep. 'Hungary is prepared for any eventuality in Ukraine' - said the Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in his regular Friday radio interview on Friday, 21th of February. 'Hungary is following the Ukrainian events with special regard to Hungarians living in Transcarpathia, in the western part of the country, he said, adding that there were worries among the Transcarpathian Hungarians but no unrest. There have been no reports of families in trouble, and there is no flow of movement towards Hungary, he added.'- the Prime Minister’s Office published.
Orbán announced that the Hungarian operative task group had held a meeting and that the national security cabinet and the interior ministers of the Visegrad Four would meet within the next few days.
Meanwhile in Transcarpathia
On Sunday, 23 February, grenades has been thrown on the house of the mayor of Uzhhorod (Hungarian name: Ungvár) , Viktor Pogorelov. After the Kiev events warmed up he resigned his membership in the Party of Regions, but protesters continue to call him to dismiss the post of mayor of Ungvár. Local police has launched an investigation. In another transcarpathian city, Khust (Hungarian name: Huszt), fire was opened on the house of a leader holding high position, unnamed by the police. In a third transcarpathian city, Beregszász, demonstrators are protesting against leadership of the city that they call corrupt. They outlined a tax boycott in case of non-resignation of the mayor Zoltán Babják, the Party of Regions and Hungarian Democratic Federation in Ukraine (Hungarian abbreviation: UMDSZ).
On Thursday, 20th of February, the hungarian Prime Minister visited the Hungarian-Ukrainian border region to be briefed about the situation by the police, border guards and healthcare staff. Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér and head of Hungary's Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) János Hajdú, accompanied him. The photo of Burger Barna on PM Viktor Orbán standing by the helicopter, that would fly him to the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, will certainly remain one of the most recalled ones of him, as it really has a hint of heroic action movie.
At the Záhony border crossing point he knew that there are 6 lanes in both directions.
The guards of the natural border let him know that their lenses can see 4-5 km distance in good time and 1,5 km in bad time.
150 members of the Nyírbátor police forces are available if needed.
In the hospital of Kisvárda he was informed that there are 50 free places, a traumatology and a surgery. Finally Minister of Interior Sándor Pinter told him that 15 thousand people can be laid.
Probably the minister thought of providing a place for sleep. 'Hungary is prepared for any eventuality in Ukraine' - said the Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in his regular Friday radio interview on Friday, 21th of February. 'Hungary is following the Ukrainian events with special regard to Hungarians living in Transcarpathia, in the western part of the country, he said, adding that there were worries among the Transcarpathian Hungarians but no unrest. There have been no reports of families in trouble, and there is no flow of movement towards Hungary, he added.'- the Prime Minister’s Office published.
Orbán announced that the Hungarian operative task group had held a meeting and that the national security cabinet and the interior ministers of the Visegrad Four would meet within the next few days.
Meanwhile in Transcarpathia
On Sunday, 23 February, grenades has been thrown on the house of the mayor of Uzhhorod (Hungarian name: Ungvár) , Viktor Pogorelov. After the Kiev events warmed up he resigned his membership in the Party of Regions, but protesters continue to call him to dismiss the post of mayor of Ungvár. Local police has launched an investigation. In another transcarpathian city, Khust (Hungarian name: Huszt), fire was opened on the house of a leader holding high position, unnamed by the police. In a third transcarpathian city, Beregszász, demonstrators are protesting against leadership of the city that they call corrupt. They outlined a tax boycott in case of non-resignation of the mayor Zoltán Babják, the Party of Regions and Hungarian Democratic Federation in Ukraine (Hungarian abbreviation: UMDSZ).
Feb 23, 2014
Sydney Express presents: The Sydney Opera House in monocrome
Are you missing the blue of the sky above Sydney?
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Sydney Express presents: Nothing but juxtapositions
A place where architectural styles are leading interesting and respectful conversations above people head.
Feb 20, 2014
Hungary Express: Trust the lies
Hungary, election campaignd corruption in streetphotos...
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Trust the lies, or the printed election campaign in Hungary
Individuals responsible for the violence in Ukraine - a voiceofrussia review 20, Feb 2014
Voice of Russia reported today, 20 Feb 2014
20 February 2014, 17:16
'The EU intends to impose an embargo on arms supplies to Ukraine in addition to sanctions against "individuals responsible for the violence." This is stated in a fragment of the decree of the EU Council received by ITAR-TASS, which will be submitted to EU Foreign Ministers for discussion.'
20 February 2014, 16:18 - Lavrov told ...2.
'The EU intends to impose an embargo on arms supplies to Ukraine in addition to sanctions against "individuals responsible for the violence." This is stated in a fragment of the decree of the EU Council received by ITAR-TASS, which will be submitted to EU Foreign Ministers for discussion.'
20 February 2014, 16:18 - Lavrov told ...2.
'Russia's Lavrov blames West for forcing Ukraine into EU (...) The demand to hold early elections in Ukraine is aimed at forcing Ukraine to choose Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.'
20 February 2014, 15:34 -Lavrov told... 1.
'The Western mainstream media are distorting the situation in Ukraine,
20 February 2014, 15:34 -Lavrov told... 1.
'The Western mainstream media are distorting the situation in Ukraine,
Ukrainian politician Lesya Orobets calls for help
Saying that 'This massacre has been carefully planned in advance and is intended to eventually destroy any hint of democracy in Ukraine',
the 34 year-old Lesya Yuriyivna Orobets, Ukrainian politician and a Member of the Parliament of Ukraine since 2007, currently member Batkivshchyna, the party led by Yulia Tymoshenko called far help on her facebook page on February 18 at 4:56 pm.
photo: fb
See her call below:'Yanukovych and his allies have organised a deliberate provocation and a trap for protesters.
All the so-called peaceful negotiations have turned out to be a well-planned trap. These deliberate delays allowed them to concentrate enormous power in Kyiv to start the violent scenario. Yanukovych has never intended to make any concessions from the very beginning. All muddling around the political process, behind the scenes negotiations on amendments to the Constitution – everything intended only to lure protesters into the trap.
Today’s events have all been well planned for at least a week . Currently Kyiv subway is closed, all city entrances are blocked. Some places in Kyiv (e.g. dormitory of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute) are cut off from the internet. Over these few hours a state of emergency has been effectively introduced in Kyiv. And do not tell me that this is all possible without proper intelligence, preparations and planning. Anyone understands that the capture of the city of 4 mln people requires several days of preparation, most likely 2-3 weeks.
Large numbers of riot police and interior force troops are accumulated in the city. Government hired thugs (‘titishky’) acted in accordance with the Berkut forces and have been throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the protesters. The whole operation has been planned in such a way
Ukrainian journalists call for help
to prevent 'humanitarian catastrophe and civil war' in Ukraine. 19 Feb 2014.
Civic movement “Stop Censorship” (founded on May 21, 2010) is an informal group of journalists which has been created in response to the oppression of freedom of speech in Ukraine.
They neither support any political party, nor receive funding from any political party. Adressing to their foreign colleagues they are asking support to prevent 'humanitarian catastrophe and civil war' in Ukraine!
See their statement below and SHARE:
See their statement below and SHARE:
'STATEMENT
We, the Ukrainian journalists, ask our colleague journalists in other countries and international organizations to do everything in their power to give Ukraine a change to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and civil war in the center of Europe.
The Ukrainian authorities have made several attempts to forcefully crack down on the protests of the Ukrainians that started as uniquely peaceful rallies in support of European integration of Ukraine. On the eve of November 30, 2013, the authorities first deployed the special task force police for extremely violent beating of rallying students. On January 16, the authorities approved a package of censorship laws, which sparked more street protests. And now the authorities are effectively refusing any actual dialogue and consensus, despite all efforts of international negotiators.
For three months, the authorities are stalling with fulfillment of all demands of protesters: limiting the presidential power through restoring to the Constitution in the wording of 2004, dismissal of the Minister of Internal Affairs Zakharchenko, punishment for those in charge of beating of students and signing of the agreement of association with the European Union. This leads to escalation of violence and confrontation.
The events of the «Black Tuesday» of February 18 showed that the authorities are ready to drown Ukraine in blood, apply firearms and military equipment.
We ask you
We, the Ukrainian journalists, ask our colleague journalists in other countries and international organizations to do everything in their power to give Ukraine a change to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and civil war in the center of Europe.
The Ukrainian authorities have made several attempts to forcefully crack down on the protests of the Ukrainians that started as uniquely peaceful rallies in support of European integration of Ukraine. On the eve of November 30, 2013, the authorities first deployed the special task force police for extremely violent beating of rallying students. On January 16, the authorities approved a package of censorship laws, which sparked more street protests. And now the authorities are effectively refusing any actual dialogue and consensus, despite all efforts of international negotiators.
For three months, the authorities are stalling with fulfillment of all demands of protesters: limiting the presidential power through restoring to the Constitution in the wording of 2004, dismissal of the Minister of Internal Affairs Zakharchenko, punishment for those in charge of beating of students and signing of the agreement of association with the European Union. This leads to escalation of violence and confrontation.
The events of the «Black Tuesday» of February 18 showed that the authorities are ready to drown Ukraine in blood, apply firearms and military equipment.
We ask you
Feb 19, 2014
Ukrainian women call for help
'Maybe policemen will murder us, one after the other, when it will be dark here'
More that 1,200,000 watched this video.
CZ, Nomination to Nobel Prize for economics for Babiš and green light for Sobotka
and best wishes for the new Czech cabinet to figure out new ways for export, other than the renamed Duties.
After an eleven hour debate the new Czech coalition government of the Social Democrats, ANO and the Christian Democrats won confidence, the confidence motion received 110 votes in the 200-seat lower house - announced the Radio Prague. It wasn’t too much fear about losing the confidence vote even with one seat less than expected.
Isn't it ironic?
In a speech in the lower house ahead of Tuesday’s vote of confidence, the Czech president, Miloš Zeman questioned how the government would raise the funds to meet its pledges. He said “... if Finance Minister Andrej Babiš managed to find the reserves in the next four months, before negotiations on the state budget, he should be nominated for a Nobel Prize for economics." - wrote the Radio Prague yesterday.
Foreign policy - charged with human rights issues, long term investments and the seeking for export markets - matrix seems to challenge not only Hungary but Checu Republic too. Within a programme promising to support economic growth, create new jobs, make public administration more efficient and foster social cohesion it won't be a too easy ride.
In a speech in the lower house ahead of Tuesday’s vote of confidence, the Czech president, Miloš Zeman questioned how the government would raise the funds to meet its pledges. He said “... if Finance Minister Andrej Babiš managed to find the reserves in the next four months, before negotiations on the state budget, he should be nominated for a Nobel Prize for economics." - wrote the Radio Prague yesterday.
Foreign policy - charged with human rights issues, long term investments and the seeking for export markets - matrix seems to challenge not only Hungary but Checu Republic too. Within a programme promising to support economic growth, create new jobs, make public administration more efficient and foster social cohesion it won't be a too easy ride.
Beside the research for new markets for Czech industry products, the new cabinet shall faces a series of challenging diplomatic meetings in 2014 like those of president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov and the one of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, planned for April.
The Radio Prague recently reported that according to the Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek 'the Soviet-style authoritarian rule implemented by President Yanukovych was close to what his own country had experienced in the past' and called the EU to take actions to end the crisis.
The Radio Prague recently reported that according to the Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek 'the Soviet-style authoritarian rule implemented by President Yanukovych was close to what his own country had experienced in the past' and called the EU to take actions to end the crisis.
The Duty of the Egyptian police
is coming from Czech Republic. More exactly from Uherský Brod, the Česká Zbrojovka (CZUB) factory, where 80,000 pieces of the 9 mm CZ P-07 Duty are produced to be delivered to Egyptian police in 2014.
Janes reported that "Ceská zbrojovka (CZ) plans to launch its new 9 mm P-09 pistol onto the export market at the IWA arms fair in early March 2014." On 17 February 2014, Radio Prague announced: 'The Egyptian interior ministry has asked the Czech arms producer Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod to supply the Egyptian police with another 80,000 pistols, following a delivery of 50,000 pistols last year. The request for a new delivery was made several days ago, according to the E15 daily. The orders are worth hundreds of millions of crowns. Česka zbrojovka is one of the biggest Czech arms manufacturers. The company produced 181,000 arms in 2012 and its sales reached 2.1 billion crowns.'The CZ has won the international tender to supply 50,000 pistols to the Egyptian interior ministry in May last year. The planned delivery consisted of 50,000 9 mm CZ P-07 Duty, several hundred 9 mm Scorpion EVO III submachine guns and 'some' CZ 805 BREN A1 assault rifles, according to the firearmblog.
The exports had to be suspended then due to the clashes between the government forces and the pro-Morsi protesters. Now, increasing the quantity, first CZ received an order for extra 29,000 9 mm CZ P-07 Duty.
Then for another 50,000 pistols that another European firm was to supply.
This year the 1600 workers of the czech firearm company are to manufacture 223,000 pieces of weapons, according to E15.
Egypt has announced that it purchased 50,000 9mm CZ P-07 Duty, “several hundred” 9mm Scorpion EVO III submachine guns and an unspecified number of CZ 805 BREN A1 assault rifles from Ceska Zbrojovka.
The CZ P-09 pistol, called the Duty is one of the most reliable and most wanted service arm beating competitors like the western Glock or Sigsauer and its price reflects its undoubtedly good rename.
Feb 18, 2014
CZ, Prelude for the czech confidence vote 17, feb 2014
Today the new confidence vote is held in the Czech lower house
Corruption investigation ends in scandalOn 13th June 2013, as a result of an investigation started in early 2012, some of the closest advisors and collaborators of the Czech Prime Minister, Jiri Rusnok, like
Jana Nagyová, Managing Director of the Section of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic's Cabinet,
Lubomír Poul, Director of the Office of the Government,
Ondrej Páleník, former head of the Military Intelligence Service;
Milan Kovanda, current head of the Military Intelligence Service,
Ivan Fuksa, former Minister, and
Petr Tluchoř, former Deputy
were arrested in association with unspecified misconduct.
June 2013: Prime Minister, Petr Nečas resigned
On 17 June 2013, it resulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister, Petr Nečas, and the cabinet. Nečas also quit as leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS).
August 2013: Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok resigned
In Agust 2013 the Czech cabinet headed by Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok has resigned as well, after Miloš Zeman centre-left government, succeeding the previous government collapsed in June, has lost a vote of confidence in the Czech Republic's parliament.
Business links with Turkey have great profit potential at low risk for Hungary.
According to Turkish President Abdullah Gül who arrived to Budapest for official visit in company of a group of senior officials and business people, including Deputy Prime Minister Emrullah Isler and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, is on his official visit in Hungary. "We are desirous of developing the already perfect political relations into economic gains," Gül told journalists at the airport in Ankara before leaving.
After a dinner that was given in honor of President Abdullah Gül and First Lady Harünnisa Gül by Hungarian President Janos Áder and official meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, the Turkish president attended the 3rd Hungarian-Turkish Business Forum.Hungarian government website let us know:
- ‘Hungary aims to double bilateral trade with Turkey by 2015’ -said Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga.
- ‘Agreements signed during past Hungarian-Turkish business forums have resulted in 110 million euro worth of new business. ‘
- ‘Trading between the two countries increased by 27 percent in the first eleven months of last year.’
- ‘Turkey has become Hungary's fifth biggest trading partner outside the European Union.’ - pointed out State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó.
- Hungarian PM, Viktor Orbán, emphasized that : more investment shall be realized with ‘at least one flagship investment project in both countries’
H, Prime Minister’s Office: Go, Hungary! Go, Hungarians! - on our own path / 2014
The Prime Minister’s Office published, on the 16 February 2014, the PM annual speech :
" We are standing on the threshold of a great era of prosperity
Dear Madam Klára, Dear Katica Makray, our Dear Hosts; Ladies and Gentlemen,
In my speech today I will be searching for the answers to three simple questions. What have we achieved? What more can we achieve? And what should we do? This is the sixteenth time that we have come together as usual to assess Hungary's situation and prospects. We have met in many different situations, in both cheerful and gloomy times, but believe me there is no task more gratifying than to meet at a time when we can share good news with each other. Good news about the fact that public utility prices in Hungary are falling for the first time in forty years. About the fact that while it is on the whole falling in Europe, the employment rate is increasing here in Hungary. About the fact that it has been decades since inflation was this low. About the fact that everyone is forecasting sustained growth for Hungary; more growth than even we ourselves anticipate. About the fact that we have successfully introduced the second largest increase in the minimum wage in Europe, and as a result people's incomes are increasing here in Hungary. About the fact that Hungary is capable of protecting, and has to some extent even increased the value of pensions. About the fact that our finances are stable and we have kept the deficit at below 3 percent for years now.
" We are standing on the threshold of a great era of prosperity
Viktor Orbán, a couple of months earlier, performing his speech at Budapest, Heros Square on 23 October.
Dear Madam Klára, Dear Katica Makray, our Dear Hosts; Ladies and Gentlemen,
In my speech today I will be searching for the answers to three simple questions. What have we achieved? What more can we achieve? And what should we do? This is the sixteenth time that we have come together as usual to assess Hungary's situation and prospects. We have met in many different situations, in both cheerful and gloomy times, but believe me there is no task more gratifying than to meet at a time when we can share good news with each other. Good news about the fact that public utility prices in Hungary are falling for the first time in forty years. About the fact that while it is on the whole falling in Europe, the employment rate is increasing here in Hungary. About the fact that it has been decades since inflation was this low. About the fact that everyone is forecasting sustained growth for Hungary; more growth than even we ourselves anticipate. About the fact that we have successfully introduced the second largest increase in the minimum wage in Europe, and as a result people's incomes are increasing here in Hungary. About the fact that Hungary is capable of protecting, and has to some extent even increased the value of pensions. About the fact that our finances are stable and we have kept the deficit at below 3 percent for years now.
Feb 16, 2014
Budapest Express presents: 'La vie en rose' or the pinky jelly sky above Hungary
'La vie en rose' or the pinky jelly sky above Hungary, more exactly above Gödöllő.
Saturday night pink jelly fever. Late pink Valentine on 16 Feb 2014.
Feb 14, 2014
New Jersey Express presents: White Valentine
16 hours ago near North Princeton, NJ, United States
Major highways are clean, but plenty of unplowed snow still makes life slippery in enchanted Townships along the coastline of New Jersey.
Hidden Driveway sign never made more sense in the state of New Jersey (USA) during a recent snow storm.
Major highways are clean, but plenty of unplowed snow still makes life slippery in enchanted Townships along the coastline of New Jersey.
photo: Marton Toth, Princeton
photo: Marton Toth, Princeton
and finally the song of the day:
Feb 11, 2014
Eastland Sound Online from Nyeső Mari with love
The Tuesday evening music show where You can ask on 11 Feb 2014
'Tonight
our guest is
Mari Nyeső
singer, songwriter, guitar player.
As always,
You can ask anything you might be interested in while or before
listening via lehetkerdezni@gmail.com or here on FB. Tune in!'
Feb 9, 2014
Switzerland will no longer be a land of promise
Swiss agreed to curb immigration
The initiative of the Swiss People's Party (in German Schweizerische Volkspartei, SVP) , called Einwanderungsnitiative, was approved by just 50.3% of the votes. Switzerland re-introduce annual quotas for immigration.
Only 9 cantons out of the 26, 7 situated in West-Switzerland, and those of Zürich and Zug, declined, and 17 welcomed the initiative.Feb 7, 2014
´Orbán applies a policy of carrot and stick...
he is a born politician'
Interview with the Director of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Budapest
Rafael Márquez Molero, economist and director of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Budapest, took up his position more than one year ago. Through his studies in economics and experience in foreign trade during this period of time, Rafael han been able to form an overall idea about the political economic situation of the Magyar country which he shares with us today.
Orbán is a born politician, he keeps the perfect balance of hot and cold. On the one hand he reaches out to the capital that is in Hungary and on the other hand he wears a suit of intervention. Since the summer of 2013, the Hungarian Government has signed over thirty strategic cooperation agreements with foreign capital companies such as Mercedes or Audi, in order to facilitate foreign investment in Hungary. But at the same time, prevents the monopolization of certain essential sectors for the development of the country, such as the ones that supply gas, energy and water. As a result, the Hungarian prime minister ruled last year a reduction of rates for these public services by 20% compared to the prices they had in 2012.
What is the reason behind this need to strengthen the presence of the Hungarian stat in the private sector?
It is a kind of approach very close to what promoted communism, for which society is the essential and where profit is discarded. This country did not have a wastewater treatment and filtering system, so that, about two years ago, the Government decided to turn this activity into a public service. As a result of these measures, all these companies must have at least 50% of the Hungarian capital to be controlled by the Hungarian state. The result is that many of them have closed and have left the country.
How does this type of policy influences on foreign investment in Hungary?
This attitude creates some uncertainty of the future of the country and the economy, especially in sectors such as banking and energy. Foreign investment could help to improve the country, but it retracts when it does not see a stable future outlook. It has not yet defined the ability to repatriate profits, which in principle does not happen between EU countries. So obviously, if an employer sees his/her decision-making power limited (repatriate profits, capitalize and expand the business) by a rule or a policy change, this slows foreign investment.
This attitude creates some uncertainty of the future of the country and the economy, especially in sectors such as banking and energy. Foreign investment could help to improve the country, but it retracts when it does not see a stable future outlook. It has not yet defined the ability to repatriate profits, which in principle does not happen between EU countries. So obviously, if an employer sees his/her decision-making power limited (repatriate profits, capitalize and expand the business) by a rule or a policy change, this slows foreign investment.
"To believe that a crisis requires a certain figure is risky and usually ends badly"
It seems that this is a nationalization plan, but Viktor Orbán never mentions this term in his speeches.
Orbán does not like the word “nationalization”, but it is more of a political stance that economic background. Perhaps he does not want to use this term because it brings an image back to the situation prior to democracy, which means communism, when everything was state owned.
But nationalization does not mean to only expropriate private ownership to a public company, nationalization means that the property becomes part of the State, and it does not matter to talk about nationalizing or statalizing, it is the same thing.
An article published by Le Monde Diplomatique in April 2013 compared Charles De Gaulle with the Hungarian Prime Minister, do you think that Hungarians need a strong leader like Orbán to move the country forward?
The “motherland-saviours” are always dangerous. People need freedom and sufficient conditions of knowledge and involvement in politics to decide for themselves. Believing that a situation of crisis, political or economic, requires a certain figure or a certain group of people is risky and usually ends badly. There is no perfect political system, but states like Switzerland, where democracy is more diluted and less personalized, and general participation is much higher, are a good example of democratic development. Unfortunately, in Hungary we are still very far from that.
How do you see Hungary in the coming years?
As part of the European Union, its destination can not be very different from any other EU country due to the high level of economic integration. Hungary may take longer to trace because it comes from a worse situation. It joined the EU in 2004, which included changing an economic infrastructure of a totalitarian communist country to a capitalist State structure, and when it began to improve, in 2008 the crisis came. Its democratic and market economy journey is short, and that was terrible for Hungary. However, although the current situation is extremely unfavorable, I am optimistic and as other community partners will improve their situation, the chances for the Magyar country will improve significantly in the coming years.
It seems that this is a nationalization plan, but Viktor Orbán never mentions this term in his speeches.
Orbán does not like the word “nationalization”, but it is more of a political stance that economic background. Perhaps he does not want to use this term because it brings an image back to the situation prior to democracy, which means communism, when everything was state owned.
But nationalization does not mean to only expropriate private ownership to a public company, nationalization means that the property becomes part of the State, and it does not matter to talk about nationalizing or statalizing, it is the same thing.
An article published by Le Monde Diplomatique in April 2013 compared Charles De Gaulle with the Hungarian Prime Minister, do you think that Hungarians need a strong leader like Orbán to move the country forward?
The “motherland-saviours” are always dangerous. People need freedom and sufficient conditions of knowledge and involvement in politics to decide for themselves. Believing that a situation of crisis, political or economic, requires a certain figure or a certain group of people is risky and usually ends badly. There is no perfect political system, but states like Switzerland, where democracy is more diluted and less personalized, and general participation is much higher, are a good example of democratic development. Unfortunately, in Hungary we are still very far from that.
How do you see Hungary in the coming years?
As part of the European Union, its destination can not be very different from any other EU country due to the high level of economic integration. Hungary may take longer to trace because it comes from a worse situation. It joined the EU in 2004, which included changing an economic infrastructure of a totalitarian communist country to a capitalist State structure, and when it began to improve, in 2008 the crisis came. Its democratic and market economy journey is short, and that was terrible for Hungary. However, although the current situation is extremely unfavorable, I am optimistic and as other community partners will improve their situation, the chances for the Magyar country will improve significantly in the coming years.
Amelia Ochoa
proofread by Paul Thomas
Feb 5, 2014
The Tuesday evening music show where You can ask
Love of music opens up hearts and minds. In some cases it might rises questions too. These questions can be asked in ’Lehet kérdezni’ a.k.a. ’Now you can ask’ a one-hour radio programme by Muzsikus Rádió on every Tuesday evening. There is no silly question. Therefore Eastland Cup Online is pleased to present its new very musical partner!
’Lehet kérdezni’ a.k.a. ’Now you can ask’ is a love mark inspired by the love of music, the collaboration of two very enthusiastic and very different hosts who previously both ran their own radio programmes by Muzsikus Rádió.
Haruki Murakami shall apologize
Nakatonbetsu residents are not habitual litterbugs - say the Nakatonbetsu people. And they probably read Murakami's novels. Probably.
'The town assembly of Nakatonbetsu (1900 residents) have demanded an apology after a new story by Murakami appeared to suggest its residents habitually throw lit cigarettes from car windows.The offending passage appears in the new 24-page novella, entitled Drive My Car – Men Without Women, which was published in the December edition of the long established monthly magazine Bungeishunju' (...) The passage that has got him into so much trouble depicts a fictional chat between a widowed middle-aged actor and his 24-year-old driver, who is from Nakatonbetsu. When she tosses a lit cigarette out of the driver's window, the actor thinks to himself: "Probably this is something everyone in Nakatonbetsu commonly does." - wrote the Telegraph today.
Probably this affair won't really do harm to Murakami's fame. Probably.
Sofia calls: 'Stop Paks 2 and stop this mad project'
The Paks pact is not anymore only a Hungarian issue. Bulgarians feel involved and send a message to Hungarian people and politicians in the Parliament.
Demonstrating in front of the Hungarian Ambassy in Sofia, they have just called Hungarians to stop the 'madness of Paks 2' saying that 'nuclear and the Russian involvement is the worst option ever' .A man called Hungarians to remember their history and 'vote NO for Putins's nuclear'
14% of decided voters would vote for Jobbik in Hungary
according to 3 of 5 pollster latest survey results.
At last, yesterday Medián Institute published they survey result too. Among voting age population 51 % would vote for Fidesz, 29% for the left-wing opposition, 13% for Jobbik , 3% for LMP and 4% for other. The survey was made between 24 and 28 January 2014 among 1200 adult Hungarian citizen in more than 100 locations.
Waiting for the above Medián results, Török Gábor, a Hungarian political scientist who’s been running a popular website called torokgaborelemez.hu , (traduction: Török Gábor analyses) subtitled the desperate fight of a political scientist for understanding, since November 2009 published on his facebook page, a couple of days ago, (29 Jan) other pollster latest results too, like Ipsos, who showed the tiniest difference: between the two wings: Fidesz: 28% and United opposition: 22%.
According to the Ipsos survey, made between 6 and 13 January, among 1500 adult Hungarian citizen, LMP would get only 2% of the votes and Jobbik only 6%, 41% of voting age population being undecided. They published the best results for the opposition: 37% of decided voters would vote for the MSZP, DK, Együtt 2014-PM, not counting the Liberal party. 48% of decided voters would vote for Fidesz, 11% for Jobbik and 3% for LMP, according to Ipsos.
According to the Ipsos survey, made between 6 and 13 January, among 1500 adult Hungarian citizen, LMP would get only 2% of the votes and Jobbik only 6%, 41% of voting age population being undecided. They published the best results for the opposition: 37% of decided voters would vote for the MSZP, DK, Együtt 2014-PM, not counting the Liberal party. 48% of decided voters would vote for Fidesz, 11% for Jobbik and 3% for LMP, according to Ipsos.
Fear and loathing at Paks -The fearful shadow of an irreversible tragedy / part 2.
Former members of LMP, who a year ago founded a new green party called PM (Párbeszéd Magyarországért – Dialog for Hungary) also protested against the Paks pact, together with ex-prime minister Gordon Bajnai's political team. The Together-PM alliance organized a protest on Sunday, 2nd February, in front of Hungary's parliament building. The previous day, members of the public also gathered for the same reason outside the Ministry of National Economy.
ex PM Gordon Bajnai listening to the first speaker, ex PM Ferenc Gyurcsány
The first speaker was former prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsány. ....
Feb 3, 2014
Fear and loathing at Paks -The fearful shadow of an irreversible tragedy / part 1.
On the 14th January, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concluded an agreement with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on expansion of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, engaging Hungary in a 30-year financial loan.
"Forty percent of the volume of work will be implemented by Hungary, which means that three billion dollars will be spent on maintaining jobs in Hungary, and tax revenues alone will amount to over one billion dollars," remarked Putin. Russia will finance the project by allocating 10 billion euros (80 percent of the construction costs) in the form of a 30-year loan. Russian newspaper Pravda quoted Hungarian sources as saying this was the best deal Hungary had been offered.
However, important details of the Paks pact remain unknown. In fact Hungary's members of parliament do not even know what they voted on, states the website 444, based on a report by the Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute, whose mid-January inquiry was rejected by the Ministry of National Development. Furthermore, full details of the Paks agreement have been classified and cannot be revealed for 10 years, according to Hungarian newspaper index.hu. (Click the links for further information and details about the Paks pact.)
"Energy is not just a matter of policy decisions made behind closed doors"
So said Matthias Köchl, representative of the Austrian Greens and also, as he says himself, of people "who stand up for the freedom of citizens to choose their own future and to choose their own energy resources". Köchl was speaking in front of the Ministry of National Economy building, on Sunday, 26th January, and added that, "the future of energy must be the choice of the people – a choice Hungary has sadly been denied".
Matthias Köchl
Matthias Köchl was invited by LMP, the Hungarian green party, to present the Austrian energy model as an alternative to the second unit at Paks. After Köchl's speech, Bernadett Szél and Kata Csiba, representing LMP, talked with people who gathered at the event, despite the cold that surprised the country that weekend.....
Matthias Köchl was invited by LMP, the Hungarian green party, to present the Austrian energy model as an alternative to the second unit at Paks. After Köchl's speech, Bernadett Szél and Kata Csiba, representing LMP, talked with people who gathered at the event, despite the cold that surprised the country that weekend.....
A cup of tea, Fu and dumplings - Chinese Lunar New Year
- personal note on Chinese lunar new year, dumplings, friendship and participation following her own principles -
- Hey, would you join me to have some dumplings tonight, wrote me a friend of mine Thursday morning. She wanted to go to that Chinese restaurant I wanted to show her the other day, Lanzhou in Luther street.
Many nation has some kind of dumplings in the national cuisine but probably Chinese dumplings are the most known. China, with the largest population of any country in the world (with estimated to be approximately 1.354 billion people), celebrated the New Year's Eve 4 days ago. So approximately 1.354 billion people eat dumpling that day. And two more for sure. An hour of not standing for anything but sitting down and relaxing.
Feb 1, 2014
Election placards banned - Hungary elections 2014
The streets of Budapest became paperless. Nevertheless this not yet a sign of the awakening of the Green Hungary.
The Two-tailed Dog risks disappear
or a new chapter from a fictive book called “The slow dying of hungarian graphic design”
At least of the printed. In 2014 campaign goes virtual for small parties, this time, maybe completely, as the Budapest Municipal Assembly created a new list of forbidden public places not for staying but for posting, banning ideologically explicit posters,placards (all advertisements that sought to convince viewers to “support or reject any ideology, principle, value or idea”.) so especially targeting the elections campaign posters. The decree, appears to be as an extension of an earlier general ban on advertisements on roadsides. During the elections campaign it will be prohibited to place posters on public area surfaces like pylons or walls, trees, statues over public roads or on the roadside. Private places owner shall allow activist to place the poster, but probably they take some business argument into consideration before they do. That can create inequality of chances according to the opposition parties… In the opinion of the Mayor of Budapest, “the election campaign posters do not really influence the public anyway.”Hungarian media has been reporting it for a while, that the majority of advertising market is clearly in the hands of one business man, Lajos Simicska, a very good friend of Viktor Orbán from their young age, therefore opposition has smaller chances to advertise.
At least of the printed. In 2014 campaign goes virtual for small parties, this time, maybe completely, as the Budapest Municipal Assembly created a new list of forbidden public places not for staying but for posting, banning ideologically explicit posters,placards (all advertisements that sought to convince viewers to “support or reject any ideology, principle, value or idea”.) so especially targeting the elections campaign posters. The decree, appears to be as an extension of an earlier general ban on advertisements on roadsides. During the elections campaign it will be prohibited to place posters on public area surfaces like pylons or walls, trees, statues over public roads or on the roadside. Private places owner shall allow activist to place the poster, but probably they take some business argument into consideration before they do. That can create inequality of chances according to the opposition parties… In the opinion of the Mayor of Budapest, “the election campaign posters do not really influence the public anyway.”Hungarian media has been reporting it for a while, that the majority of advertising market is clearly in the hands of one business man, Lajos Simicska, a very good friend of Viktor Orbán from their young age, therefore opposition has smaller chances to advertise.
Big is beautiful, small is invisible
or new chapter of an other fictive book called “ The slow dying of multitude in politics”
The call for elections will be sent to 8.100.000 hungarian citizen living in Hungary and 112 662 beyond the borders without residence in Hungary. The below decree will deprive 2 million citizen of the capital (one quint of voters of the whole country) of visual campaign information “extra-screen” that one can just observe while walking by. That could mainly be a concern smaller parties. One of them is an “unorthodox” party called The Two-tailed Dog Party …
or new chapter of an other fictive book called “ The slow dying of multitude in politics”
The call for elections will be sent to 8.100.000 hungarian citizen living in Hungary and 112 662 beyond the borders without residence in Hungary. The below decree will deprive 2 million citizen of the capital (one quint of voters of the whole country) of visual campaign information “extra-screen” that one can just observe while walking by. That could mainly be a concern smaller parties. One of them is an “unorthodox” party called The Two-tailed Dog Party …
LMP strikes back (or not…) - Hungary elections 2014
by the end of January 2014 party support among voting age population
Based on a telephone survey made by Századvég Foundation, a conservative think tank, among a thousand of voting age Hungarian between 22-28 January: 30% of electors are hesitating.
Based on a telephone survey made by Századvég Foundation, a conservative think tank, among a thousand of voting age Hungarian between 22-28 January: 30% of electors are hesitating.
One more underpass
... no more homeless at Kelendföld Railway Station
Taking into consideration that the metro line 4 constructions are repeatedly facing different problems, since it began in 2004, that deadline, however, leave some time and some space to stay for homeless people. As the history of the metro line 4 , which has not even been yet constructed, could be published in a heavy book already, all we can say is : the handover is basically planned for end of March 2014.
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