Hungary, which took over the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) on Monday, will propose a competitiveness pact to avoid a trade war with eastern countries, namely China, that the bloc would lose, the Hungarian prime minister said.
“The European Union is about to enter into a trade war with the East, which it can only lose. What is needed here is not isolationism, but stronger relations and more active trade,” Viktor Orban told Hungarian state television from Brussels, where he received the EU leadership from his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo.
Orban added that one possible source of conflict with countries like China could be EU measures such as additional taxes on electric vehicles coming from the Asian giant.
The prime minister added that he had held talks with Europe’s largest carmakers, saying they “don’t want this measure because if they [os fabricantes chineses] If we fight back, Europe will lose much more.”
Orban explained that one of the priorities of Hungary’s rotating presidency, which will last until December 31, will be the conclusion of a competitiveness pact.
Hungary’s European Affairs Minister Janos Bóka told public radio Kossuth on Sunday that Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council “will focus political attention on this issue and identify areas where solutions can be taken to improve competitiveness.”
The other six priorities set by Orban’s government for its six-month mandate at the helm of the EU are common defence and protection of external borders, as well as making progress on EU enlargement, strengthening cohesion and agricultural policies, and addressing demographic issues.
“Now it’s Hungary’s turn and Viktor Orban’s,” De Croo said on social media.
The Belgian leader said he was “proud” of the results of his presidency, which “fulfilled its ambitions to protect our citizens, strengthen our economy and prepare the future of Europe.”
“I wish Hungary’s presidency every success and am confident that it will serve the interests of all EU citizens,” he stressed.
European Council President Charles Michel also received Viktor Orban today to mark the start of the rotating presidency and said the way to face challenges was to be “together and united”.
The European Council president, who will be replaced in December by former Prime Minister António Costa, said “priorities such as competitiveness, defence and enlargement, among others” were discussed.
“We all know the problems we face. Together and united is the only way to overcome them,” the Belgian politician emphasized.
During Hungary’s presidency, he will have to mediate between member states to reach agreements, but Orban has distanced himself from collective decisions and even blocked decisions such as funding for military support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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