Szijjártó: Fiscal discipline key to restoring EU competitiveness

Berlin, December 28 (MTI) – Hungary and Germany agree that restoring the European Union’s competitiveness is of key importance, and this can only be achieved if all member states go back to respecting fiscal discipline, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told German conservative daily Die Welt in an interview published on Wednesday.

Hungary and Germany are in constant communication on EU matters, the minister told the paper. And although Germany’s position provides “somewhat of a compass” for Hungary in foreign policy matters, Hungary and Germany differ on the issue of illegal migration, he said.

Szijjártóo said respecting fiscal discipline meant that member states “cannot speculate on other countries’ money” and that they must do everything they can to meet the challenges of the “digital and revolutionarily new economic era”. Hungary and Germany are in full agreement on these crucial matters, he added.

The minister called Germany Hungary’s number one economic and political ally. He noted that there are 6,000 German companies doing business and employing 300,000 people in Hungary. About 27 percent of Hungary’s foreign trade turnover is with Germany, Szijjártó said, adding that Hungary is the “most important hinterland” for the German car industry.

Commenting on the suggestion that both countries are also in support of setting up a joint European army, Szijjártó said Hungary was convinced that the European arm of NATO had to be reinforced and that it was wrong to rely solely on the United States to uphold Europe’s security. Asked if a joint European army would be established with the aim of countering Russia, Szijjártó said it was vital for Europe and Russia to normalise their relations. The minister said cooperation between the EU and Russia on the basis of mutual respect and respect for international law served Hungary’s economic and security interests. He said it was impossible for the continent to regain its competitiveness without cooperation between its western and eastern parts.

Asked if Hungary and Germany had moved closer on Europe’s migrant crisis, Szijjártó stressed that Hungary’s position on the issue had been unchanged for two years. “We believe that illegal migration is harmful and a threat to Europe,” he said, adding that Europe’s borders must be protected and it must be made clear to those seeking to enter Europe that they are only allowed to do so legally.

He said Europe should stop “encouraging” migrants to set off for the continent, adding that the EU’s mandatory migrant quota scheme should be scrapped, as it is “a severe violation of European rules”.

Asked if Hungary and Germany were on the same page on whether the EU needed more or less integration, the minister said Hungary opposed transferring more competences away from member states. Hungary’s interests lie in a strong Europe, but the bloc can only be strong if its member states are strong, he said.