Cooperation between Germany and Hungary, “which existed in good times and also bad times over history,” is much needed in the 21st century and should be further intensified.

This is according to the head of the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.

Speaking at an event organised by the Nézőpont Institute and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Gergely Gulyás unveiled the results of a survey known as the Hungary-Germany 2023 barometer. They said there were times when relations between the two countries had been better in the past.

In addition, the results of the poll should be appreciated when considering “how many people work for how long and how strong” on attempting to weaken the ties between both nations, Daily News Hungary reports.

Gulyás added that the unrest from differing political opinions should not be allowed to filter into the economy.

“We do not belong to the European Union member states that want to live from the Germans’ money, but Hungary offers a good investment opportunity for Germans to make money and profits, while the know-how, added value, and technology also benefit the Hungarian economy,” he stated.

The head of the Prime Minister’s Office added that the biggest threat was if “cooperation gets lost in an area where the two countries basically think along the same lines”. 

Gulyás said both Germany and Hungary are interested in a strong European Union and rebuff the new EU common debt, going on to add that both countries deem competitiveness important.

Furthermore, referring to a survey carried out by the German Chamber of Commerce in Hungary, Gulyás said bilateral trade made up over 25% of Hungary’s foreign trade, whilst 80% of German investors were contemplating further investments in Hungary.

Nevertheless, he was concerned that just 23% of reports place Hungary in a positive light within the German media.