The Government expects to have disputes of unprecedented ferocity with Brussels in May and June with respect to the issue of the distribution of immigrants, János Lázár, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said at the press conference Governmentinfo 84 which he held jointly with Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács.
Mr Lázár indicated: the hearing in the quota lawsuit will be held at the Court of Justice of the European Union on 10 May to which Hungary submitted a petition, together with Slovakia, in order to stop the mandatory nature of the quota decision. In his view, in the next few weeks we should expect both the European Commission and the European Parliament to seek to put pressure on Hungary, and there will be disputes of unprecedented ferocity with Brussels in May and June. Certain groups in both bodies, primarily the liberals, want to achieve that Hungary should also take part in the distribution of migrants based on quotas, he said.
According to the Minister, Brussels „will mix in everything with this issue”, both the national consultation and the case of the CEU. He further remarked that Germany, too, „is on the opposite side”, and it is therefore not surprising that even government-party politicians speak up in the interest of the quotas. He also said that the outcome of the dispute is doubtful.
We cannot tolerate anyone organising immigrants at the border
The Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office pointed out that the Hungarian Government has a problem with György Soros, but this has nothing to do with the CEU, the students studying there or the instructors teaching at the institution. He said: there is a dispute on account of the opinion of the American businessman of Hungarian origin regarding immigration, but the two issues must be handled separately.
What György Soros has done in connection with illegal immigration in recent years violates Hungary’s national security interests. We cannot tolerate anyone organising immigrants to approach the border and forcing us into an undesirable situation, he said.
The Minister highlighted: the Government wants to stop immigration, while György Soros wants to organise it. It is likewise not tenable that „organisations associated with Soros” sue the Hungarian State and want to force it to open the borders, he stated.
New legislation does not restrict freedom of learning
Mr Lázár highlighted: in the field of education, they want equal opportunities and clear competition rules in order to put an end to the competitive disadvantage of Hungarian universities. He stated: in the case, „we are ready to answer” the questions of Brussels, Washington and Berlin equally. „György Soros and his network” have put considerable pressure on Brussels, Washington and Berlin, „there is ongoing lobbying against Hungary”, but we are going to protect the country against these organisations and attempts, he stressed.
He argued: they reviewed foreign universities operating in Hungary, this led to a report, and the law followed in consequence. It is evident based on the legislation of other countries that the State – by exercising its right of sovereignty – regulates the foundation and operation of universities, he said, adding: he takes the view that there is a storm of hysterical political hype being created.
According to Mr Lázár, the consensus that when elected Members of Parliament vote for a law, it applies to everyone, appears to have been refuted. He said: in the new legislation, they proposed that there should be equal opportunities among universities, there should be fair and normal conditions, foreign universities should have actual, state-recognised higher education activities in their countries of origin, and there should be an international agreement between the two countries concerned regarding such institutions. The CEU is able to meet these conditions, the legislation is not disproportionate, nor discriminatory, and creates a transparent system, he said expressing his view.
He asked the question of why the CEU wants to call the legality and legitimacy of the legislation into question, instead of meeting the conditions. He also said that „some groups” have a vested interest in creating tensions, rather than solving the situation.
He said: regarding this case, there should be an atmosphere of calm, composure and fairness in Hungary, but in the coming days the „Soros network will most probably continue to apply pressure”. Parliament passed a good law, we must explain why it was necessary and we must explain the provisions of the law; “we have gained quite a bit of experience” in doing that in recent years, he said. He took the view that, on the whole, we may observe the preparations for forcing the migration quotas on us. If there is also a law about the transparency of non-governmental organisations, there will, no doubt, be questions and threats regarding that legislation as well, but in actual fact, it is all about the quotas, and the case of the CEU is being used in this dispute, he stated.
The Minister said that it is accepted also in the European People’s Party that there are some who have a different view on this matter; it is their responsibility to provide fair information, and to answer the questions in a calm and composed manner.
He highlighted: the CEU has achieved results in a number of fields, it has an intellectual inner circle which is biased in favour of the university, but even they cannot dispute that Parliament has the right to legislate regarding the conditions, under which a university can obtain an operating licence, and meeting these conditions cannot pose a problem for the CEU. In answer to a question related to the demonstrations in favour of the CEU, Mr Lázár said: at all major gatherings and demonstrations plain-clothes police officers are also involved in the maintenance of order, this is standard routine and normal.
In answer to the question of whether President of the Republic János Áder will sign the law, the Minister said: it is the right of the head of state to decide, „it is not befitting for a Minister to answer a question like this”.
He said in reply to a question: the article of The Times about the possible exclusion of Hungary and Poland from the EU is not a serious report, but is indicative of the fact that pressure is being exerted on Hungary on the issues of immigration and migration.
In answer to the question as to whether Russia is using Hungary as a tool for propaganda purposes, Mr Lázár said: „if Russia is looking for tools, they look elsewhere”, Russia has its own means if they wish to influence Western-Europe. „They hardly need Hungary”, but Hungary is in an important position in the European debates that are taking place at present.
2.4 per cent deficit and growth in excess of 4 per cent expected next year
The head of the Prime Minister’s Office identified three important goals in connection with next year’s budget: the implementation of the measures that are necessary in the interest of full employment, the promotion of families and the guaranteeing of security.
Ensuring economic stability is the most important priority, he stressed, and also said in answer to a question that they are planning no change in the rate of the personal income tax in 2018, and are reckoning with a rise in defence expenditures. There is no decision yet on the rate of the advertising tax for next year, he indicated.
The Minister further reported that the Government will start the introduction of e-invoices before the end of this year, with a grace period of one year, and accession to the system will be voluntary initially.
The Government also reviewed the status of Paks II, he said, informing the press: the entry into force of the technical and financial contracts related to the enlargement has begun. The goal is to hand over the construction site to the Russian party in the autumn, and consequently, the implementation of the project may begin in 2018.
Regarding the planned strike of the Budapest Transport Company BKV, Mr Lázár said: it is in the best interest of both the metropolitan municipality and the Government that those working for the transport company should earn decent salaries. The Government will not let down the metropolitan municipality, and is ready to also help all other cities concerned. Beforehand, however, it is necessary to review the conditions and the financial situation of the communities in question, he said, also stressing: an extended strike is not good for anyone.
The Minister repeatedly said with respect to the pay problems of the conductors working for the Pető Institute: they appreciate the work of the people working for the Institute, and the resolution of the pay situation is ongoing.
In answer to a question, he further pointed out that Hungary does not support the establishment of a European prosecution service because this requires the amendment of the Treaties. Accession can only be voluntary, and it is also necessary to take account of the fact that the development of a country’s judiciary system is part of its national sovereignty.
In response to the questions regarding the recall of Ambassador to Washington Réka Szemerkényi, he said: this is a state administration decision, and has nothing to do with the fact that the diplomat was unable to organise a meeting between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and US President Donald Trump. The decision was adopted in response to the fact that there is a new US Administration in office, he stated.
Mr Lázár said in connection with Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén’s visit to Tehran and the nuclear cooperation between Hungary and Iran: upon an earlier visit of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a joint decision was adopted with respect to the joint installation of a „mini nuclear plant” that is to serve educational, scientific and research purposes.
In answer to another question, he said: there were news reports after 2010 to the effect that the secret services monitored Fidesz leaders upon the instruction of the Government, and he is unable to refute these news reports. The leadership in office at the time may have gained access to information on the lives of Fidesz leaders, he added, stating: there was an investigation in the case some time around 2010.
Household wells need not be authorised after all
Based on the Government’s decision, they will repeal the decrees which stipulate that maintenance permits must be requested in respect of wells serving household purposes, Mr Lázár said.
He stressed: pursuant to the decision of the Government, the state of affairs that prevailed on 1 January 2016 must be restored, and consequently, the decrees adopted last year must be repealed. No one will be forced to seek the re-authorisation for a hundred thousand forints of wells used for decades, he said.
(MTI)
