Fidesz MEP: Time for EU to end ‘cold war’ against member states

In order to heal the debilitating divisions characterising the European Union, the bloc must end its “political and ideological cold war” against member states, Fidesz MEP Tamás Deutsch said in a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday.

Speaking after an address by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Deutsch said the EU had lost its leading role in the world and called for an end to the use of double standards against member states.

To heal what he called “institutional divisions” within the bloc, Deutsch said

the EC should ensure that all EU citizens are able to exercise their right to take up work in other member states.

The commission must also draft proposals aimed at eliminating laws that discriminate against central and eastern European businesses, Deutsch said, citing measures affecting the road haulage sector.

He urged the bloc to make an immediate decision on the admission of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia to the passport-free Schengen zone.

Despite being EU members for over a decade, the citizens of these countries are “still excluded” from the European system allowing the free movement of people, he said, adding that this was a “sad symbol” of the existing divisions in the bloc.

Deutsch said the EC should draft proposals on a variety of issues including climate change, the EU’s social pillar and immigration that would enjoy broad support from member states rather than lead to ideological disagreements.