“Hungary’s economy is currently the most rapidly growing economy in the European Union, and as a part of the Central and Eastern European region is continuing to play an important role in boosting the economic growth of the continent”, Minister of Finance Mihály Varga said in evaluation of the most important findings relating to Hungary included the winter forecast presented at Tuesday’s meeting of European Union finance ministers (ECOFIN).

“The fact that the performance of the Hungarian economy has grown by around five percent in two consecutive years is practically unprecedented among the member states of the European Union”, the Minister highlighted.

“The Hungarian government plans to maintain the momentum of economic growth while also maintaining fiscal discipline and continuing to reduce government debt”, Mr. Varga emphasised, pointing out that in 2019 the Hungarian economy grew by 4.9 percent while the ratio of the sovereign debt to the gross domestic product (debt to GDP ratio) improved by almost 4 percentage points to 66.4 percent in the space of a single year. “Europe, and so too the Hungarian economy, must face many challenges, and accordingly the reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and reinforcing the crisis resistance capability of the economy must continue”, he explained.

Mr. Varga told the press that the finance ministers had also discussed EU budget regulations. “We support consultation and regard the reorganisation of the application of framework regulations to enable them to better promote investment as worthy of consideration. Investments in infrastructure, human capital and structural reforms support long-term growth, and as a result could also boost private investment”, he explained. “Hungary believes it is necessary to reduce the number of EU budgetary regulations and to simplify them, in addition to which we also agree that instead of sanctions positive incentives could better facilitate the fulfilment of requirements”. the Minister added.

(Ministry of Finance)