Viktor Orban, head of Hungary’s main opposition Fidesz party, thanked Germany for “helping Central Europe get rid of communism and integrate in the western part of Europe” in Berlin on Friday.
Addressing a conference organised by the European People’s Party and entitled “From the Dismantling of the Iron Curtain to German Re-unification”, Orban thanked Germany for its strong commitment to re-unification, which, as he said, had made the collapse of the Soviet Union irreversible. Orban also voiced appreciation for Germany’s solidarity, which had greatly contributed to the integration of countries in Central Europe.
As for the present, Orban said that it was necessary to eliminate “remnants of dictatorship, not only in terms of the political system but in the economy, and in the minds and hearts of the people as well.”
“Hungary is facing special difficulties arising from bad governance,” Orban said, adding that he thought that the country’s bad economic position was making it difficult for Hungary to contribute to the growth of the European community.
He said that the West often finds the ex-communists “easier” partners than the true democrats who insist on the sometimes unpleasant and inconvenient truths. “But I do believe that this is true democracy and true partnership with the West,” he said.
On the subject of Hungary’s relations with Germany, Orban told MTI that those ties “rest on strong foundations and they are historically deep and economically intensive, however, they need reinforcement.” He added that he trusted that there would be opportunities to strengthen ties with Germany. Cooperation between the Hungarian and German economies could improve significantly once “Hungary joins Europe’s economic policy”, Orban said.
Hungary needs to restore its image in Germany as an economically successful country, he added.
