Bela Kovacs: Our geographical and historical heritage ties our country to Europe and Russia

Bela Kovacs and Gabor Vona

Foreign affairs, Hungarians in the Carpathian basin, Russian ties and the Alliance of European National Movements explained. Hungarian weekly Bar!kad published an interview with Bela Kovacs, Jobbik's Foreign Affairs President.

As a politician of Jobbik in charge of Foreign Affairs, how would you size up the country's foreign policy over the past 20 years?

Subsequent to the so-called paradigm change, Hungarian foreign policy had been designed to aim at three specific goals:
 1. Improvement of political conditions of Hungarians forced to be living in the Trianon successor states.
 2. Enhancement efforts for good neighbourly relations.
 3. The concept of continental European-American integration and the development of robust democratic institutions.

In light of the past 20 years it's been proved without a doubt, that the foreign policy designed to grudgingly satisfy the expectations of  the western powers has collectively failed. The managers of our country's foreign policy missed all opportune chances to effectively take advantage of any and all international political realignments for the benefit of the country and allowed us to be cornered into bindingly unfavourable agreements that are contrary and detrimental to our elemental national interests.

Hence, Jobbik considers it first and foremost as its pre-eminent, predominant and primary task, to represent all and any priorities of the Hungarian nation over all other, anytime and all the time. Reunification of the unjustly dismembered Hungarian nation as a result of one of the 20th century's worst shamecraft, revision of the artificially drawn borders not worthy of the work of a delittante that befell on Hungary, is still hiatus to this day.
 
We consider it our fundamental moral obligation to represent the interests of the Hungarian communities everywhere and defend their universal rights and freedoms. Jobbik, in contrast to other parties, adamantly fights for the collective geographic and cultural autonomy of the Hungarian nation residing within the Carpathian basin in order to ensure its survival.
 
Pivotal and paramount is the introduction and implementation of the institution of dual citizenship for our brethren who were forced to abandon their homeland as a result of the tragic events of the 20th century . Our goal is the reunification and homecoming of Hungarians living in the diaspora for the benefit of our once great nation.

The unipolar world of today appears to shift toward a multi power-centered configuration, thus in this context and gravity, we must fundamentally re-evaluate our foreign policy doctrine.While maintaining friendly and amiable relations with the current leading powers of the world, we should not lose sight of the fact, that our geographical and historical heritage ties our country to Europe and most importantly Russia, with whom we must live alongside in the future.

As compared to current official foreign policy, Jobbik's foreign policy strategy includes radical changes in orientation.  How much of Jobbik's foreign policy entail the opening to the East?

"Opening to the East" is a fundamental element in Jobbik's foreign policy program. Building interconnecting bridges with nations considered relatives of ours living in Central Asia, who themselves proudly declare our mutual blood relationship, is of paramount importance. Between Western Europe and Asia, the geopolitical position and location of Hungary offers itself as a natural avenue to becoming an economic and commercial thoroughfare. Closer co-operation, enhanced lobbying power within the Eastern European countries are key for the region's survival and development.

By preparing and implementing a mutually beneficial regional cooperation regime, the millenium-aged role of Hungary can be reborn and revitalized again, whereby the current and future detrimental effects of globalization may be successfully resisted and overcome. Only such committed mutual cooperation of these countries will have a chance to save against the aggressive, dominating privatization efforts of foreign powerbrokers eyeing the region's natural resources, real estate and inherent, abundant water supply.

We must find again the Russian market, because demand still exists there for a number of our products. Russia could also present herself as a willing, sympathetic partner in a strategic alliance for defending Hungarian minority rights, as many Russians live in similar minority status along their own borders.

You studied in Moscow and lived in Japan, how effectively do your experiences there help you in building bridges with foreign countries?
 
Even throughout my studies, I was lucky enough to be able to immerse into the phenomena of stark contrasts, the pros and cons between socialism and capitalism in light of contemporary Russia and contemporary Japan. Further experience revealed the political and economic mechanism of both systems, and I've developed many a fruitful friendly and business relationships in a variety of these countries including the given incumbent prime minister, foreign minister, members of parliament and business leaders. In order to build Jobbik's foreign relation's network, they proved to be significant and promise to be beneficial. 

You've been to Moscow a year ago with Gabor Vona, did you bring back cash-stuffed duffelbags? Or from other places?

As senior representative of our party in charge of Foreign Affairs, I categorically state that no financial, material or any support did Jobbik receive from neither Moscow nor any other place.I have no VIP entry clearance to the headquarters of Gazprom, neither keeps V. Putyin me on a leash and we have no backproblem caused by carrying somebody's luggage or as a result of mandatory bowing.
 
What is unacceptable and resentful is that a prominent representative of a parliamentary party of Hungary launches a campaign against Jobbik, amplified by the subserviant media based on such nonsense. We have never asked or accepted foreign support of any kind for our campaigns, including this year's campaign.

You ran as a candidate for an EP parliamentary mandate and currently work with Jobbik's EP representatives. Did your existing connections help the performance, acceptance and the fitting-in of Jobbik's EP representatives?

Preparatory work in this regard began 18 months before the EP elections. Obviously, getting closer to the parliamentary elections, we've sped up our information campaign. I've  traveled to Brussels and Strasbourg several occasions in order to counsel Jobbik's representatives to accomodate themselves in their new positions and involvement in the European Parliament's legislative environment. In charge of leading our party's negotiation team that ensured keeping our parliamentary faction's independence, we managed to become the most effective faction in the European Parliament.

Your name comes to mind in terms of establishing the Alliance of European National Movements whose idea was conceived and founded by you.

At last December's meeting taking place in Rome, subsequent to the accession of the British National Party and despite the November reports of the typical international media bouyancy lacking no capacity for derision,  the Alliance of The European National Movements was joined by three additional, national parties, the Spanish, Portuguese and the Ukrainian. Currently negotiations are underway with the Latvian and Slovenian representatives aspiring to joining our block, and foreseeably the Austrian Freedom Party will be admitted as of May of this year. Interest is being shown to join our organization from the United States and Japan as well. By the way the AENM will officially be registered in Strasbourg in a few days.

Would Jobbik also cooperate with the nationalist parties of the neighbouring countries?  Does it have any say in selecting the members of the European alliance?

Jobbik is willing to work together with parties who accept the alliance's mission and creed. However, under no circumstances and never will it cooperate with openly anti-Hungarian parties and organizations, who violate the rights of Hungarians living beyond the shamecrafted borders. Naturally, we have ways to obstruct admission of new applicants through our veto power or similarly give blessing to that effect. I want to categorically emphasize that Jobbik is currently the strongest European nationalist party, dominantly involved in our efforts to reach our goals.

Close alliance of Fidesz and the Israeli Likud which is considered and labelled radically zionist by their critics, is a well known fact. What parties would Jobbik form a coalition over and above the existing ones?

I think every serious, nationalist force will sooner or later find their place in the international arena too.  Here the old Hungarian saying "bird from its feathers, man from his friend........" applies.  Fidesz initially boarded a ship, that sailed offshore so far, that it makes it impossible to get off of , even if they wanted to. We are open to any nationalist movement of the world, open-minded to the challenges ahead. We have no prejudice against anyone, who have recognized the need, do strive and fight for the survival of their own ethnicity, traditions, language and culture against fatalistic international globalism.

What do you expect from the anticipated election success of Jobbik? How will the achieved performance goals help in international judgment and foreign affairs relations?

Jobbik's EP election breakthrough unleashed sizable dynamics in terms of foreign relations. In addition, it is important to take note of the significance and weight of our newly attained parliamentary legitimacy.As a result, new opportunities present themselves that will advance future international exposure.I am confident that as a parliamentary party, we will effectively represent the interest of the Hungarian nation and propel her to success. This nation truly deserves to finally enjoy a long-lasting reprieve after the multitudes of sorrow decades tainted with needless sacrifices and sufferings. She longs for a Better Future.