On 8 September, the Directorate General for International Affairs (NFI) of the Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS) and the John Lukacs Institute for Strategy and Politics (JLI) convened a roundtable discussion at the university’s Educational Center with the participation of distinguished Hungarian and Japanese experts. This was the second edition of the dialogue, which explored Europe’s and the Far East’s current strategic environment, as well as Hungary’s international role, with particular emphasis on the country’s foreign policy and economic room for maneuver, the importance of minority rights, and the question of energy security.
The event was opened by Liliana Śmiech, Director General for International Affairs at LUPS, and H.E. Mrs. Ono Hikariko, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary. In their remarks, they emphasized the timeliness of the dialogue and highlighted the importance of bringing together perspectives from different regions.
Among the participants were professors from the University of Tokyo and the University of Tsukuba, as well as experts from the John Lukacs Institute, who examined key geopolitical and security developments affecting both Europe and Asia. The discussions also reflected on the significance of regional dependencies, including Japan’s reliance on U.S. defense guarantees. Hungarian experts provided historical context to the evolution of Hungarian–Ukrainian relations, particularly in light of the 2017 Ukrainian education law. The situation of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine was given special attention. While progress was noted in 2023, experts underlined that minority protection within the European Union remains insufficient.
The roundtable further addressed Hungary’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy in view of energy-related considerations. Participants noted that an increasing number of European countries are coming closer to Hungary’s position on balancing principles with practical realities.
Speakers also reflected on the differing historical experiences of Central European states, noting that these backgrounds continue to influence their respective approaches to relations with Russia.
The economic dimensions of the geopolitical landscape were also addressed. Hungary’s economy, traditionally reliant on Western (particularly German) capital, is now experiencing the growing presence of Asian investors from South Korea, Japan, and China. The roundtable provided a forum for in-depth discussion of Hungary’s NATO membership and the evolving security environment, with particular attention to relations with Türkiye and the Middle East in the context of migration and regional stability.
In conclusion, the experts highlighted global challenges where energy security and the re-evaluation of economic interdependence will play a crucial role. They agreed that fairness across the energy, economic, and environmental dimensions remains a central issue, particularly for Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Global South.
Text: Zsófia Sallai
Photo: Dénes Szilágyi