Economy
Hungary's Orbán says "EU can expect a lot from us in the future"
Orbán thanked his fellow PMs in the V4 group for the help they extended to Hungary in border protection.
“During the past two years, the four of us managed to protect not only Hungary but also the southern borders of Europe," he said.
Orbán stressed Central Europe cannot be put to shame either concerning its economic indicators, or security, its cultural life or the quality of democracy. The European Union gained a lot by taking on Central European states as members, and “it can expect a lot from this region in the future as well".
The value of the Visegrad Four countries is elevated by the fact that there is a “co-operation deficit" in Europe and there is no unity of action, the PM said, describing Central Europe as a region consisting of capable, thriving countries with common goals.
At a joint press conference after a summit of the Prime Minister of the V4 group and the Benelux states, Orbán spoke about the issue of migration, saying that at the meeting - which was attended by countries with different cultural backgrounds and foundations - there were countries which made it clear that they do not wish to change their cultural pattern, “while others already live in a more diverse world than we do".
Orbán said the EU’s attempt to build a common migration policy is admirable, adding that though “we are progressing in small steps", there are details which give cause for optimism.
Therefore, “despite widely diverging positions, we continue to encourage the EU to seek to create a common concept," he said.
He summed up the migration views voiced at the V4-Benelux summit as follows: “there was greater agreement on the external dimension than on the internal one".
He said there was agreement that
Answering a question, Orbán said that, as a Central European, he sees the issue of identity as the most important one - and this is exactly what migration is related to.
“During the past two years, the four of us managed to protect not only Hungary but also the southern borders of Europe," he said.
Orbán stressed Central Europe cannot be put to shame either concerning its economic indicators, or security, its cultural life or the quality of democracy. The European Union gained a lot by taking on Central European states as members, and “it can expect a lot from this region in the future as well".
The value of the Visegrad Four countries is elevated by the fact that there is a “co-operation deficit" in Europe and there is no unity of action, the PM said, describing Central Europe as a region consisting of capable, thriving countries with common goals.
At a joint press conference after a summit of the Prime Minister of the V4 group and the Benelux states, Orbán spoke about the issue of migration, saying that at the meeting - which was attended by countries with different cultural backgrounds and foundations - there were countries which made it clear that they do not wish to change their cultural pattern, “while others already live in a more diverse world than we do".
Orbán said the EU’s attempt to build a common migration policy is admirable, adding that though “we are progressing in small steps", there are details which give cause for optimism.
Therefore, “despite widely diverging positions, we continue to encourage the EU to seek to create a common concept," he said.
He summed up the migration views voiced at the V4-Benelux summit as follows: “there was greater agreement on the external dimension than on the internal one".
He said there was agreement that
- the borders must be protected,
- it is desirable to separate genuine refugees from other migrants as early as possible,
- agreements should be concluded with every country of origin and every transit country, and
- it is necessary to compile a joint EU list of safe third countries and countries of origin.
Answering a question, Orbán said that, as a Central European, he sees the issue of identity as the most important one - and this is exactly what migration is related to.
The anthropological foundation of the Hungarian position, he said, is that “We should not pursue an immigration policy which means that we will no longer be what we are today".
Front page photo by MTI/ Zoltán Máthé
