Brussels, 30/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 July, the European Commission stated that there is “nothing” to indicate that Hungary “is not respecting its obligations under the Treaty”, said its spokesperson, Jonathan Todd, with reference to a speech by the Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, made two days earlier in Romania and interpreted by a number of observers as an attack on the fundamental values of the EU. “On the basis of what we have seen of it, we have no comment”, said the spokesperson.
On a visit to Romania on Monday 28 July, Orban said that he wished to construct an “'illiberal' state based on national foundations”, quoting Russia and China as examples to be followed, several media sources have reported (our translation). “Given that liberalism has never been the right way of serving national ideals, to encourage the Hungarians in their desire to preserve their wealth and their ideas, it is time to tell the truth”, Orban reportedly said. “A democracy should not be liberal at all costs (…). At least 50% of Hungary's economy should be in our own hands, not foreigners' hands”. This is not the first time that he has courted controversy with his speeches - the Hungarian prime minister has regularly compared the EU to the former USSR, for example. (SP)