Bodiš on Declassifying Railway Mark: Hungary Can Do It in Five Minutes, the Problem is Chinese Involvement

Hungary's Minister of Transport and Investment, David Vitezi, has initiated the process to declassify information related to the Budapest-Belgrade railway investment. However, Hungarian journalist Gabor Bodiš suggests that while Hungary could act swiftly, the project's involvement of Chinese companies presents a significant hurdle.

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When it comes to the Hungarian side, it can be done in five minutes, but the problem is that Chinese companies are also involved in the project, and their approval is needed.

Bodiš explained that the approval of Chinese companies is necessary, and it remains uncertain if they will consent to declassification. He noted that Hungary's side would face no issues, but the Chinese stance is the key factor. He added that if Hungary truly wishes to investigate, it could potentially access certain documents related to Hungarian companies, like Lőrinc Mészáros's firm, even without Chinese approval, especially given the new government's stated intention to examine corruption allegations.

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It is questionable whether the Chinese will consider that this needs to be done; as far as the Hungarian side is concerned, there would be no problems. We have to wait; many say they don't believe the Chinese will give approval.

Concerns are mounting over the nearly $3 billion investment, with reports of suspicious aspects. Currently, only freight trains operate on the line, significantly slower than planned, and passenger trains are expected to run at 160 km/h, not the initially projected 200 km/h, if they commence service at all. Minister Vitezi has questioned why the government chose to pay a Hungarian contractor, linked to Mészáros, in dollars, suggesting it could be a mechanism for Mészáros's company to profit from currency exchange differences at the state's expense.

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What concerns the Hungarian side and Lőrinc Mészáros's company can also be done through various other contracts. This secrecy might not apply to all these subcontracts with other contractors – meaning it can be achieved if there is a will, and I see that the new government intends to investigate all these corrupt practices, and whom would they investigate if not the richest Hungarian.

Bodiš identified Lőrinc Mészáros as still being the wealthiest Hungarian, whose company participated in the railway construction alongside two Chinese firms. He believes the declassification effort might target Mészáros, and Vitezi's suspicion about the dollar payments points to a potential trick to benefit the company while the state incurs losses. Safety checks, according to Bodiš, must adhere to EU standards, involving rigorous testing with trains running between stations without passengers.

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There are many suspicious things surrounding an investment of almost three billion euros. Traffic is not yet running, only freight trains are going, and much slower than planned. Even passenger trains will not be able to go 200 km/h, only 160, if they ever start at all.