Hungarian PM Orban Delighted By EC Decision Not To Suspend Subsidy Payments

  • 4 Jun 2012 9:04 AM
Hungarian PM Orban Delighted By EC Decision Not To Suspend Subsidy Payments
Confidence in Hungary has returned, Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared yesterday after the European Commission decided against suspending cohesion fund payments to Hungary. Speaking on the “Az Este” TV programme, he hailed the outcome as a great success for Hungary, as the April decision on suspending funds was “unfair”.

“We insisted on our truth, our own economic policy and have proven that it is genuinely good, and is in line with European values,” Orban said.

Fidesz MEP Ildiko Gall hailed the EC decision as an obvious recognition of government efforts to consolidate the budget.

“If the government had not made wrong decisions then it would not have had to fight for the EU subsidies,” Socialist MP Istvan Jozsa remarked.

The decision is not a surprise but Hungary paid too much for it with its austerity measures, Jobbik MP Zoltan Balczo said.

LMP caucus leader Benedek Javor welcomed the decision but noted that Hungary remains subject to the EU’s excess deficit procedure.

“If the government does not take credible and convincing steps to sustain the budget balance permanently then the lifting of the suspension may be only temporary,” Javor observed.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

This news item is one of many published daily by HATC, a premier subscription news service which distributes English-language info about Hungary via email or fax. For a free trial of HATC follow this link and click on 'Free Trial Subscription'.

  • How does this content make you feel?