Minister: EU not prepared for open, democratic debates
The European Union allows no room for actual democratic debates based on mutual respect, Hungary’s foreign minister said on Tuesday, adding that the use of double standards was also a “major challenge” for the bloc.
Addressing a panel discussion at an economic forum in Karpacz, in southern Poland, Péter Szijjártó underscored the importance of engaging in honest debates about overcoming the challenges facing Europe. The minister lamented, however, that those whose opinions differ from the mainstream were often labelled “anti-Europe” and sidelined.
Hungary’s interests lie in a strong EU based on strong member states capable of preserving their heritage, national identity and culture,
and outright rejects the “extremist” federalist position that favours the establishment of a “united states of Europe”, Szijjártó said, adding that Hungary was also against transferring more powers to Brussels.
As regards the EU’s level of competitiveness, the minister said member states should be left to decide on their own taxation policies, underlining the importance of internal competition.
Blocking the EU’s enlargement, he said, also hurt its competitiveness,
especially after Brexit and the EU’s failure to conclude a framework agreement with Switzerland.
Szijjártó said the EU should immediately move to admit Serbia to the bloc, arguing that doing so would serve as a stabilising factor for the Western Balkan region. Meanwhile,
Szijjártó called the Visegrád cooperation the “soul of Hungarian foreign policy”,
emphasising that together Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia had achieved success on issues which they could not have tackled on their own.
Had the V4 not stood their ground, the EU would be resettling migrants according to mandatory quotas among its member states today, the minister said.
On another subject, Szijjártó said the volume of trade between Germany and the V4 exceeded German-French trade by 70 percent, adding that the grouping’s security policy had made it one of the world’s most competitive regions.
Szijjártó is right 100%. He sees things for what they are.
Hungary is fortunate to have him as FM.
When Hungary and Poland become net contributors instead of vacuuming funds out of the EU, then enlargement may be a possibility. The EU can’t afford any more countries that simply suck money out of it.
The EU has no right to force its eccentric ideology on Hungary. That was not condition of joining the EU. Hungary’s democracy is probably strongest in the EU, it seems to be the only country that continually consults the population’s wishes. The EU companies benefit is greater from Hungary than the money transferred. The EU refuses to admit that they are wrong. The EU was wrong accepting illegal migrant, supporting the Afghan withdrawal. The EU, once more demonstrated, that it is a dictatorship. I believe the V4 should reconsider staying in the EU
MVT – the consultations are by and large meaningless because they are loaded questions, almost along the lines of ‘when you are thirsty doe you have a drink: yes/no’. Secondly, the EU did not support the Afghan withdrawal and in fact the forces there were NATO. Once the US stated it was withdrawing NATO forces had no option other than to follow suit.
Fidesz&co. politicians lecturing the others on democracy is like Ilona Stalkee lecturing on virginity and chastity.
P.s. Staller
Hungarians enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of religion, safety and democracy. Safety is very important. The West has none. That is why retired people from the West move to Hungary.
I agree with everything you said with the exception of last statement.
V4 must stay and reform the EU.
MVT, your comment about the meaningless consultation is unjust. Everyone gets the questionnaire. Everyone has a chance to return a completed questionnaire. If the people of Hungary felt that the “Child Protection Law” was unjust, this was their chance to express their opposition. First of all not everyone returned the questionnaire. The ones that returned it, they agreed with the law. People, who refuse to participate, have no right to complain.
MVT did you read the questionnaire or are you a complainer that refuse to participate in the democratic process?
Hungary’s populist government, is the only government, that consults its voters on major issues. That still makes Hungary the most democrat country in the EU.
MVT, your comment about the meaningless consultation is unjust. Everyone gets the questionnaire. Everyone has a chance to return a completed questionnaire. If the people of Hungary felt that the “Child Protection Law” was unjust, this was their chance to express their opposition. First of all not everyone returned the questionnaire. The ones that returned it, they agreed with the law. People, who refuse to participate, have no right to complain.
MVT did you read the questionnaire or are you a complainer that refuse to participate in the democratic process?
Hungary’s populist government, is the only government, that consults its voters on major issues. That still makes Hungary the most democrat country in the EU.