Viktor Orbán has not previously wanted to be associated with the European far right and said that he excludes cooperation with Le Pen and the National Front.
But on Tuesday, the two leaders met in Budapest, and at the post - meeting press conference, Orbán praised Le Pen for her support for Hungary in the country's conflicts with the EU - which has pointed to major shortcomings in media freedom and judicial independence in Hungary.
According to the AP, Le Pen said at the press conference that she wants to see deeper cooperation between nationalist political parties that advocate reducing the EU's power over its member states.
"It is an honor to meet Viktor Orbán in Budapest to discuss together the future of Europe, the control of our borders and the civilizational challenges we face," Marine Le Pen wrote on Twitter.