At the opening of a two-day professional conference titled 'Gates to Growth', Orbán Balázs, the political director of Hungary's Prime Minister, emphasized the country's role as a bridge between the West and the East.

He noted that while European cooperation remains crucial for Hungary, the government has recognized the necessity of diversifying partnerships to secure the nation's future.

Orbán, who also chairs the board of trustees of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), remarked on Hungary's geographic advantages that facilitate opening up to Eastern markets alongside Western engagements.

The cooperation among the states of the Carpathian Basin was highlighted as a strategic interest for Hungary.

Orbán warned that the previous balance of power between the West and East has shifted recently, with emerging Eastern economies gaining strength.

While the United States appears to be regaining influence in the West, Europe faces challenges, struggling to defend the old liberal world order, which he claims results in more problems than solutions.

Among the issues he pointed out were illegal immigration, sanctions imposed on Russia that disproportionately affect Europe, and the adverse consequences of green ideology.

Hungary has recorded significant achievements that complement its advantageous central location, reported Orbán. Since 2010, the Hungarian economy has grown at more than double the rate of the European average, and employment rates in Hungary are among the highest in the region.

Additionally, Hungary ranks as the fourteenth safest country globally, further underpinning its potential as a strategic partner.

To maximize these benefits, Hungary has focused on developing its transport and energy infrastructure.

Orbán outlined several pivotal investments, including the interconnection of Hungary's gas network with all neighboring countries, with the exception of Slovenia, and the establishment of electric power network connections with these nations.

Key developments mentioned include the construction of the Budapest-Belgrade railway and the ongoing expansion of the port in Trieste, projected to accommodate nearly 90,000 containers.

Furthermore, Orbán noted significant improvements in highway infrastructure, citing an increase in the number of expressways connecting Hungary to neighboring countries from three in 2010 to eleven currently.

In a related context, Máté Lóga, Deputy State Secretary responsible for economic development and industry at the Ministry of National Economy, remarked on the acquisition of Budapest Airport, one of the most significant transactions in the past decade.

He highlighted the complexities involved in negotiating agreements with approximately two dozen lenders among multiple stakeholders on both the buyer's and seller's sides.

The government remains focused on leveraging these investments and developments to reinforce Hungary’s bridging role between the East and the West amid the evolving global landscape.