Hungary's PM dismisses threats of losing EU funds

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses the annual meeting of Hungarian ambassadors in Budapest, Feb 29, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BUDAPEST - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday rejected warnings that his policies could lead to cuts in European Union funding, calling the threat of withholding funds "unacceptable".

Addressing the annual meeting of Hungarian ambassadors in Budapest, Orban argued that while he was not opposed to receiving such funds, it was the businesses of other countries with facilities in Hungary that were making money on the EU grants.

"We're even," he said. "Neither of us owes the other anything."

He stressed that the threats of withdrawing funds was unacceptable.

The prime minister's remarks were in response to his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi, who said last week that the EU should cut funding for eastern European members unwilling to accept migrants, warning that Italy will take action in the upcoming talks on the 2020-26 EU budget.

On Monday's meeting, Orban also said Hungary's foreign policy is "calm and balanced" thanks to a calm and balanced country in general. He praised the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and assured the ambassadors of government support.

He noted the Hungarian economy is quite stable as one of the best performers in terms of national debt cut.

Regarding Ukraine, Orban said it's hard to tell when the country could be governed by the rule of law or operate in the western pattern of economic growth. However, he said it was in Hungary's interests not to share a common border with Russia.

The prime minister also mentioned the recent anti-Hungary statements made by Austrian officials, adding that he would not respond because that would be impolite to the Austrian people.