State Secretary Zoltán Kovács said connectivity is the new globalization.
Speaking at a roundtable talk at the Ludovika University of Public Service on Thursday, Kovács said connectivity was “perhaps the most important call sign” of Hungary’s grand strategy, adding that the country had little choice considering its open economy and historical characteristics.
Kovács said it was in Hungary’s fundamental interest to strive to become a hub for technology, industry, economy, diplomacy and politics, taking advantage of its opportunities in the region. He added that connectivity would replace globalisation in the new, multipolar world order, which could have four or five poles.
Kovács said Brussels was taking the opposite approach to connectivity, noting the recently announced plan to cut off the European Union’s energy ties with Russia, which he called “political punishment”.
Since EU leaders agreed on the need for “immediate steps” to improve Europe’s competitiveness at a summit in November, little has been done,” he added.
Kovács said Europe was moving in a different direction than China and the United States with regard to artificial intelligence, while its role in global trade was declining, and the energy crisis had put it at a competitive disadvantage.
Given Hungary’s characteristics, he said the country needed to pursue ties based on mutual respect and warned against the consequences of ideology-based approaches in the new world order.
