Orbán visits congress of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) in Maribor

Maribor (MTI) – The values of Europe are in the hearts of its people “rather than in Brussels”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Saturday, addressing a congress of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) in Maribor.

In his speech, Orbán said:

“European values are often talked about like they were kept in Brussels strongboxes with a select few keeping the keys … Many think that Europe is in Brussels, where instructions are given to member states.”

The prime minister said this kind of ideology had led to the financial crisis of 2008.

It also led to the “free movement of illegal migrants replacing the free movement of labour.”

Orbán argued, however, that central Europe, a diverse, Christian, and multiethnic region, acted as “the continent’s gateway and fortress.”

“We are proud to live here; we are proud of our nations, our historical achievements and the survival of difficult centuries,” he said.

“We want to remain Slovenes and Hungarians.”

Many think the solution to the continent’s aging population lies in an open immigration policy, Orbán said. “But we say that even if it is harder, we must mobilise our own inner reserves to survive as a nation, and we are convinced that it is possible.”