We are going to visit our western neighbor together with Mark Gres, the author of the next film in the project "Half a Step to a Dream." In it, the journalist tries to show how Hungary is trying to "open the doors to the West" – to redirect its industry to the European market.
The history of Ukraine and Hungary is similar in many ways. Both countries were for a long time part of great empires. In 1918, both achieved independence. History gave Ukraine only two years of freedom, and Hungary more than a quarter of a century.
Hungary's entire centuries-old history shows how fiercely the country strove for independence. Neither Austrian imperial ambitions nor socialist totalitarianism could make Hungarians forget their European identity. According to Maria Schmidt, advisor to the prime minister, Hungary was always considered "the merriest barracks in the socialist camp." Already from this one remark one can judge the "commitment" of its citizens to socialist ideology. And the events of 1956 have not yet faded from the memory of many Hungarians. But rejection of communism, cheerful songs, and tasty goulash do not exhaust the image of our neighbors.
Hungary was one of the first to apply for membership in the European Union, and in 2004 it hopes to become a full member. Now the country is actively restructuring its economy along Western lines. As Deilo Szombati, deputy foreign minister, rightly noted, "you can draw up a report that environmental standards at a factory are violated. But that won't stop the chimney from smoking. For the country to be able to meet Brussels' demands, a complete reconstruction of enterprises is necessary. Preparing the country for EU membership will cost Hungary almost 3.5 billion dollars."
At the same time, the difficulties of transforming the economy are not limited to the technical re-equipment of production. The very principles of doing business must change. According to our compatriot Svyatoslav Bulakh, who manages the Záhony customs terminal "Eurokopul," "the hardest thing was to turn from a research worker into a businessman." By the way, the fact that the construction of this strategically important facility was entrusted to a foreigner convincingly demonstrates that Hungary is ready to do business in a European way.
Despite the difficult path of accession, for Hungary joining the EU is tantamount to returning to the "European family." It is no coincidence that the rebuilt parliament looks so much like the British one, only slightly wider. Five of the six parties represented in the Hungarian parliament have unequivocally spoken in favor of joining the European Union. And representatives of the sixth party – the right-wing radicals – are also inclined to a positive decision on this issue. Ordinary citizens feel much the same about the matter. Only 10% of the population are against their country's accession to the European Union. The rest confidently choose the path of integration. There is no adventurousness or illusions in this decision.
The changed lifestyle has deprived Hungarians of any rosy illusions. It is enough, as Mark Gres notes, that on Sunday evenings only tourists stroll along the streets of Budapest – Hungarians are catching up on sleep before the work week. Hungarian industrialists also look soberly to the future. For example, a representative of the Hungarian airline Malév believes that immediately after joining the European Union there will be increased competition, since Hungary's market will open to Western partners. This will require national companies to reconsider their economic policies. Technical re-equipment of production will be needed. The approach to work will also become different. The need to meet European quality standards will give a new impetus to the development of the Hungarian economy.
For Ukraine, the rise of its western neighbor's economy will also bring tangible benefits. Until now, investors were interested in northern Hungary and Budapest itself. And only recently has there been a movement of investment to the east of the country. Let us hope that the approach of a developed economic zone to our borders will give Ukraine a new impulse.