Peace is the number one thing we need for economic growth

The European economy is on a downward course, if there is war, the economy is blocked, we are unable to grow; peace is the number one thing we need for economic growth, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated in Bilzen, Belgium on Thursday.

Ahead of the informal meeting of the members of the European Council, Mr Orbán said the European economy is on a downward course which is re-phrased in "Brussels speak" as losing competitiveness.

"We gathered together in order to discuss what we should do in order to not be on a downward course, but instead to embark on an upward course and for the European economy to grow again," he pointed out.

He said, according to the Hungarian position, they should do three things. The number one is to restore peace. If there is war, the economy is blocked, it is unable to grow. War is bad for the economy, and so peace must be restored within the shortest possible time, he stressed.

The second thing is that "if you have money, and the EU does, you shouldn't send it elsewhere if you need it yourself. For instance, don't send it to Ukraine," he pointed out. Meaning that the second thing is that "if we have money and our economy is on a downward course, rather than giving our money to someone else, we should spend it on ourselves," he said.

In his words, the third thing is that "high energy prices are the number one problem of our businesses, our companies," the number one problem of competitiveness. Therefore, the price of energy must be reduced with appropriate decisions.

"This is what we should do, it's that simple," he stated.

Answering a question from a member of the press about Ukraine's EU accession, Mr Orbán said "dream, dream, sweet dream."

In answer to a question about whether Hungary is planning to respond to the threats levelled against it, the Prime Minister stressed: "every country protects its sovereignty, including us, and we will allow ourselves to be neither threatened nor blackmailed."