Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has presented the program for Budapest's presidency of the EU Council at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Report informs via Interfax.
The head of government paid special attention to the issues of competitiveness and migration. In particular, repeatedly referring to the report of former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, the prime minister pointed out the EU's lag in economic growth compared to the US and China. Specifically, he noted high energy prices in Europe as a reason for the slowdown in the European economy.
In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the policies of the Hungarian authorities. Among the accusations, in particular, was Hungary's purchase of Russian energy resources, as well as granting visas to Russians through a scheme which she sees as a "security threat not only to Hungary but to all member states."
"Speaking of who to let in: how can it be that the Hungarian government invites Russian citizens into our union without additional security checks?" von der Leyen asked. Leaders of several EP factions and many deputies sharply criticized the Hungarian government's policies.
Responding to the criticism, Orban said: "You are deputies and can do whatever you want. But I was surprised by the President of the European Commission <...>. As the European Union treaties state, the commission is their guarantor, and its job is to protect the treaties. The point is that it should avoid political debates and work in a neutral manner. But the chairperson is changing the order: the commission is no longer the guarantor of treaties, but a political instrument."