Orban: Americans make conflicts in the world

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave an extended interview to the French weekly "Le Point". With respect to Kiev's accession plans to the EU, Orbán pointed out that accession plans were not sufficiently prepared. He pointed out that Ukraine is 1 of the most corrupt countries in the planet and is so not ready for accession negotiations.

‘Hungary is simply a neighbour of Ukraine. Regardless of what people think in Paris, Brussels and The Hague, we know precisely what is happening in Ukraine," he said. “Let us say that we do not bring anything to the matter,” he said. "In my opinion, if 1 country disagrees, there is no decision," he added. He pointed out that if Ukraine joined the EU, another EU associate States would besides gotta pay more money, giving as an example France, where it would gotta pay more than €3.5 billion a year. But he besides mentioned Ukrainian agriculture, which could easy destruct agriculture in another associate States. Instead, Orbán proposes a strategical partnership with Ukraine in which different agreements on agriculture, customs and safety can be concluded with Kiev. ‘I agree with moving to a higher level of cooperation, but not with membership" – summarized his position as Prime Minister.

With respect to the Hungarian number in Ukraine, he pointed out that number rights are non-negotiable and that Ukraine must respect them independently of accession plans. Responding to the question of whether Budapest would be relentless on this issue, even if the EU paid Hungary EUR 10 billion frozen, he said that method and financial issues should not be confused with historical challenges. "The Ukrainian issue is simply a historical issue," he added. He stressed that more than 2 thirds of the Hungarian people are opposed to accession negotiations, including parliament.

Referring to sanctions against Russia, he recalled that he never supported sanctions at all due to the fact that "It is hard to find even 1 example in the past of Europe where sanctions have worked." As he said, Europe has been betrayed by "bad wording and misexecuted sanctions". "How do we explain that even though Russia is sanctioned, the Americans have doubled their purchases of atomic fuel? When we talk about sanctions, others, especially the United States, bypass them and do successful business“ He said.

Referring to the relation with the Russian president Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister said that "Russia is another country historically, politically and geographically", and cannot be compared to the European Union or the European continent, whose freedom is 1 of the fundamental values. He said that the most crucial issue in Russia is not freedom, but to preserve unity, the cohesion of a vast territory, and Russia cannot be expected to be like Europe. ‘The question whether the differences between Europe and Russia do not prevent cooperation’ is unfounded, because, if you think so, It would not be possible to interact with 2 thirds of the planet.

He recalled that since he was born in a communist country, he has experienced bipolar logic, according to which the West is on 1 side and the russian Union on the other, and emphasized that he does not want the planet to return to that way of thinking. ‘This is an American disease.“He said, explaining that the United States is simply a country that believes that there are certain universal values that should be seen the same globally. “I don’t like it, we take it differently. There is simply a cultural basis and people can decide what values and political structures suit them most," he explained. ‘This is an American universalist approach that causes many conflicts in the world," he said.

Responding to a question about NATO, Orbán said that a North Atlantic military alliance is needed, which is now much stronger than Russia, which was incapable to defeat the Ukrainians. "However, there is simply a hazard that the Americans will leave Europe. That is why we Europeans request to organise our own defence and that is why I support the increase in defence spending," he stressed, adding that France must play an crucial function in the common European defence industry. "If Europe does not learn to defend itself, it will stay in the shadow of America forever," he stressed. He recalled that 4 years ago Hungary began modernization of the army, with defence spending reaching 2 percent of GDP. "I am a strong supporter of the common European defence. I do not like the centralised approach of the EU, but on safety issues, I think we should be more centralised," the Prime Minister concluded.

Regarding migration, the Prime Minister pointed out that Hungarians do not want to follow the way of another countries, including France. ‘There is no warrant that mixing cultures will give us something better than our own conventional society" – he said. “If you want, do it! But do not force us to follow you," he added.

Answering the question why, if he is an ally Giorgi Meloni, refuses to aid Rome with the issue of migrants arriving in Italy, the Prime Minister stressed that while trying to be as helpful as possible, the fresh migration pact is simply bad. "I already have any experience with migration..., there are no migrants in Hungary and I am arrogant of it. Sometimes any manage to penetrate, but sooner or later we push them away," he said.

He said that the aim of the government is to guarantee that no 1 enters Hungary without the consent of the Hungarian authorities, adding that all European country should respect this principle. He stressed that, under the law, asylum seekers must wait outside Hungary, for example in Serbia, until their conclusions are examined, indicating that this is the only good way to manage immigration. ‘The eventual solution is that no 1 can enter Europe without the approval of the authorities" – stated, informing that if migrants scope Europe earlier, they will never be able to be returned. erstwhile asked what he would do if Meloni had asked Hungary for a plane to send migrants back to Africa, the Prime Minister said: "I've suggested it a 100 times."

Addressing the issue of European national parties, the Prime Minister said that many European countries are struggling with the "deficit of democracy" due to the fact that people view politics as a substance of sole elites and believe that their opinions are no longer listened to or respected. That's why they turn to forces outside the elite. He stressed that 2 traditions concerning national sovereignty developed in Europe: the first is the legacy of the Roman Empire, the centralised way followed by Germany and France. The second model was formed with the emergence of states after the fall of the Romans, which is “against an imperialist approach”. "These 2 dynamics drive the EU: centralist and national sovereignty; erstwhile they are in balance, the EU works well," he said, adding that this balance existed as long as Britain was a associate of the EU. Along with Brexit, this balance was disrupted and the London secession weakened Central Europe, he said, adding that this is the reason for the emergence of extremist elements that challenge national sovereignty.

Fidesz's accession to the faction of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was besides discussed, so Orbán said that the negotiations were ongoing and Budapest would gladly join it. However, he noted that the faction Identity and Democracy (ID) to which the organization belongs Marine Le Pen, sovereign right-wing National Unity (NR), is besides close to Fidesz and regretted that the EKR and ID had not yet agreed to cooperate. ‘If the right-wing parties do not work together, we will never get the majority," he warned.

Referring to the elections to the European Parliament, Orbán said that there could be a chance of a return in EU policy due to the fact that "the EU's core objectives are no longer represented by liberal elites, ruling elites and Brussels bureaucrats". He recalled that the EU is simply a promise of peace and prosperity. "Now there is no peace and prosperity is not growing", so it is time for parties outside mainstream politics to take over the leadership "to reconstruct peace, safety and prosperity."

for: ‘Magyar Hirlap