Hungary not anti-European, says Orbán – UPDATE

Hungary has never been anti-European and its government represents a true European position, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Monday.

Addressing parliament, he said that the European Union is a voluntary alliance of independent nations and does not equal Brussels.

“Hungary is not and has never been anti-European. Quite the contrary, the government represents a true European position, protecting the current European treaty, including the original sharing of competences between the member states and Brussels. It is Brussels rather than Hungary that has changed its position,” he said.

The prime minister accused Brussels of “openly siding with terrorists”, which he called incomprehensible.

Referring to a man convicted in Hungary for leading a group of migrants attacking Hungarian police along the southern border, Orbán said that “Ahmed H’s obviously absurd lies” are more important for Brussels than the security of Hungarians.

Referring to US financier George Soros, Orbán called it absurd that a “financial speculator” sets the direction for Brussels and gets to say what Europe is supposed to do while the European leaders “are bowing” to him, he said.

Orbán promised that the border fence along Hungary’s southern border would stand as long as he is the prime minister.

As long as Fidesz and the Christian Democrats rule Hungary, the government will not yield to Brussels’ “blackmails” and will reject the mandatory migrant quotas, he said.

Orbán said that Hungary is standing on the foundations of democracy and will not let Brussels to “stealthily” deprive it of its rights.

The prime minister asked lawmakers to take Hungary’s side in the debates with Brussels and the “Soros mafia”.

“Those who support migration, want to demolish the fence and would let migrants of uncertain origin, identity and motivation settle in Hungary are acting against the Hungarian nation,” he said.

Assessing the government’s recent “national consultation” survey, Orbán said most Hungarians agree that Brussels should not be allowed to force onto the country its migrant relocation programmes.

“We cannot allow Brussels to take over managing our affairs,” he said.

What has so far been the most successful national consultation has also made it clear that most Hungarians think Brussels should not be allowed to have a say in Hungary’s decisions on taxes, wages and utility prices, he said.