The Complexity of Hungarian-Romanian Relations in the European Union

Abstract: The paper presents the problem of complicated and difficult Romanian-Hungarian relations in Europe. Hungary and Romania, although both members of the EU and NATO, have completely different and opposing state doctrines in relation to the alliances to which they belong. Hungary wants to define itself, regardless of its membership in NATO and the EU, as an independent “power” at the intersection of the interests of the great powers (Berlin, Moscow and Istanbul). Despite belonging to the West, Hungarian foreign policy, especially under the leadership of Viktor Orbán, is characterized by a pragmatic, often controversial approach, maintaining close relations with authoritarian regimes and opposing mainstream EU policy. Romania’s geostrategic position is crucial due to its location at the crossroads of Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Balkans, with direct access to the Black Sea and control over a significant part of the Danube. Romania pursues strongly pro-European and pro-NATO policies and is in a difficult strategic conflict with Hungary. This position gives it a central role in European security, transport and energy. A key conflict between Hungary and Romania is also the status of the Hungarian minority in Romania, which the Hungarian state has very successfully manipulated.