For the first time, the Hungarian Atlantic Council (MAT) participated in the 33rd Bálványos Summer Free University and Student Camp, held from July 25 to 26, 2024. Representing the Council were György Csóti, Tibor Babos, Á. Félix Debrenti, and István Gyarmati, supported by three dedicated interns: Dórián Csete, Áron Lázin, and Márk Szekeres. Despite rainy and chilly weather, MAT-sponsored discussions on security policy generated considerable interest among festival attendees.
📍 Thursday – “The Future of Atlanticism”
Held at the Bánffy Miklós Lounge, the panel titled “The Future of Atlanticism: Values and Interests in Transatlantic Cooperation” was moderated by MAT President György Csóti. Panelists included:
- Péter Sztáray, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Attila Demkó, Head of the MCC Geopolitical Workshop
- John O’Sullivan, President of the Danube Institute
- Gábor Fodor, Director of the Institute for the Research of the Central European Regime Change
Although time was limited, the session concluded with a lively audience Q&A.
📍 Friday – “Strength Is the Prerequisite for Peace”
In the main tent, the high-profile panel titled “Strength Is the Prerequisite for Peace” was opened by Balázs Orbán, who praised Hungary’s recent foreign policy activity. He noted that Western discourse—previously dominated by pro-war voices—has begun to shift toward peace. He emphasized Hungary’s awareness of its place in what he described as a “great power game.”
István Gyarmati challenged the war-vs.-peace dichotomy, stating he would not engage in political propaganda but criticized the government’s loud, repetitive messaging, which he argued ultimately serves Putin’s interests. While he praised the direction of Hungarian defense development, he pointed out persistent personnel-related challenges. He firmly labeled Russia as the aggressor in this war and condemned its deliberate attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. Gyarmati called Prime Minister Orbán’s Kyiv visit “brilliant,” his Beijing visit “very good,” and his Moscow visit “risky but necessary.” He suggested the government should involve independent experts in crafting a peace proposal and deliver it through non-governmental channels to both Kyiv and Moscow.
Botond Csoma (RMDSZ MP) emphasized Romania’s alignment with NATO’s mainstream and the increased strategic importance of the alliance’s eastern flank, possibly rivaling Turkey’s role and competing with Poland for influence.
Marek Matraszek, President of CEC Government Relations, discussed the clash of values and ideologies. In Orbán Balázs’s view, Matraszek’s perspective was somewhat idealistic, while he himself belongs to the realist school, advocating that Eastern Europe would benefit most from Trump-style deal-based thinking.
✅ A Successful Debut
The Hungarian Atlantic Council’s participation at Tusványos 2024 was considered highly successful. We plan to return next year, with a larger, more ambitious presence.
