Breaking news! PM Orbán asks Brussels for all EU recovery money
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has informed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about a government decision under which Hungary requests the immediate provision of the allocated loan facility under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Prime Minister Office said a war was under way at Hungary’s borders and in the past weeks alone, nearly half a million Ukrainian refugees arrived in Hungary fleeing the war. The government expects this number to multiply in the coming period, he added. The economic consequences of the war and the sanctions introduced pose serious bordens on the Hungarian economy. Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures and the government has decided to request that the EC enable immediate provision of the allocated loan facility under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
In the English-language letter made available to MTI, Orbán said
“the war in Ukraine poses an unprecedented challenge to the Member States of the European Union. The security risks, the burden of the humanitarian crisis, the economic consequences of the conflict and the negative effects of EU sanctions are to a large extent borne by the countries protecting the European Union’s eastern borders.”
“Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures. Hungary is prepared and stands its ground in the crisis. We have received more than 450,000 people so far who have fled before the war and from the war,” Orbán said.
“We provide humanitarian assistance to those who come to us and those in need in Transcarpathia. We have strengthened the protection of our eastern borders. We are doing all this in the name of humanity and for the peace and security of the European Union as a whole.”
Orbán said that in crisis situations, the preservation of the unity of the European Union and the shared responsibility connecting the member states were particularly important. “To this end, Hungary only asks for immediate and effective access to EU funds allocated to it, and to be able to use them in a flexible way for the purposes best suited to dealing with the crisis,” he added.
Orbán asked the EC to approve, as a matter of urgency, the Recovery and Resilience Plans, Partnership Agreements and operational programmes of the member states protecting the eastern borders of the European Union. He also asked the EC to allow rapid, targeted and flexible use of EU budgetary resources by removing pre-financing, co-financing and transferability limits.
Orbán noted in the letter that 30 percent of the financial support available under the Recovery and Resilience Facility until the end of 2026 is to be reallocated by June 30 this year in light of current economic growth indicators. The reallocation would entail a loss of resources for all member states protecting the EU’s eastern borders, which could amount to up to 16 percent of the available grants for some member states, he added.
“This is unacceptable. I call for a review of the reallocation system and to ensure that those Member States that are bearing the brunt of the war crisis and at the same time making a significant contribution to the economic growth of the European Union do not lose EU resources,”
Orbán said.
“In addition to the development needs outlined in its Recovery and Resilience Plan, and independently of its approval process, Hungary requests the immediate provision of the allocated loan facility under the Recovery and Resilience Facility for defence, border control, as well as humanitarian and other acute crisis management tasks,” the prime minister said. “In the current circumstances, these are the most important areas for improvement in terms of strengthening our resilience. The European Union can only provide real and substantial help if it offers immediate and flexible funding for these purposes,”
Orbán said in the letter addressed to Von der Leyen and also sent to the president and members of the European Council and the president of the European Parliament.
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The anti-EU, EUmoney-loving Beggar is again in action.
Sort of missing the usual bellicose “Brussels could not thwart the Hungarian economy even if it wanted to!” talk (classic quote from Finance Minister Mihály Varga). Now it’s just … “send us the money, already!”
Can’t really go cap in hand to Russia now can he. Even with his fawning behaviour over Putin. Always the Chinese I suppose…
“Never forget your Friends on the Way up – You may NEED them on the Way down “.
Does appear bridges that have continually been burnt by the present Government of Hungary -under the Leadership of Victor Orban – the European Union – United Kingdom and America, and possible of greater significance and importance – the global opinion of Hungary – that was prior to February 2020 – the arrival of this novel virus, under a growing global microscope, what Politically or Regime – the direction was being “forced” on the citizens/population of Hungary – to live under.
China – Russia – FACT – growing & continual EVIDENCE – the dependency of Hungary on these (2) two – country’s – that are not “in bed” – with Major “other” global powers.
In addition to the FRIENDSHIP arrangements which GLOBALLY at this time, is known as FACT – between Russia & China – the wedged position, that Hungary is in – Hanging – over the head of the present Government of Hungary is FACT, that the Economy of Hungary – is in a state of SERIOUS Trouble.
Nothing in Hungary is getting Cheaper and Fuel prices very NEAR rising substantially – from the level held by the “cap” policy of the present Government.
Post 1989 – in the History of Hungary – the National Elections April 3rd – what a RESPONSIBILITY – on the citizens/population of Hungary – the decision they make – in the Political Party – they appoint, to Govern Hungary – in these dangerous & challenging un-certain times – and into the FUTURE.
Hungary – we can’t SURVIVE without Friends.
Who are we going to vote for – and WHO – are there FRIENDS.