Leader of opposing camps in the European Union, Europhile Emmanuel Macron and nationalist Viktor Orban nevertheless displayed their agreement, Monday, December 13, in Budapest, recognizing each other, with the same terms, such as "political opponents but European partners".

The two men, who met in Paris in 2019, preferred to highlight their alliance on subjects such as nuclear or European defense, on the program of the French presidency of the EU.

"We have seen our disagreements" on subjects such as "the rule of law, respect for minorities, the fight against discrimination and corruption", at the heart of the disputes between the European Commission and the Hungarian government, the president said. French in front of journalists, after an interview with the Hungarian Prime Minister.

"There is an assumed Hungarian will, until the April election deadlines, not to move forward on these subjects. This means that there will be no payments until there is concrete progress "on the part of the EU, he added.

"From the moment when it is assumed by the Hungarian government and that we note our disagreements, we spoke of other subjects" in order to "advance the European agenda", he pleaded, one month away of the start of the French presidency of the EU, for which France is looking for allies.

The "mentioned" problematic subjects

Viktor Orban is preparing for very tight legislative elections in spring 2022, facing an opposition which presents itself for the first time in a united manner and whose representatives Emmanuel Macron met on Monday afternoon.

"Political adversaries and European partners at the same time: we accept the definition of France, homeland of the encyclopedists", indicated for his part the Hungarian Prime Minister, evoking "a relationship marked by respect".

The French president also assured to have "explicitly mentioned all the problematic subjects", including the rights of the LGBT + community.

"There was no opening on the part of the Hungarian government on these subjects, but it is the European Commission which carries out this dialogue", he defended himself.

"We must put pressure so that our values ​​are respected in an intractable way" but "I do not believe that we can provide a relevant and lasting response to these problems by excluding such and such a country," he repeated.

European subsidies blocked

Poland and Hungary have adopted several laws which are contested in Brussels, in particular a text prohibiting the representation of homosexuality among those under 18.

And like Warsaw, Budapest challenges the primacy of European law over national law.

In response, the Commission has launched several procedures against them for undermining EU values, in particular a "conditionality" mechanism for European aid, which blocks the payment of stimulus subsidies.

With Hungary, "I would like us to move forward on the migration package, climate and energy issues, the strategic compass, defense issues and the macroeconomic course", "subjects that I will take up with the four members of the group of Visegrad ", he concluded.

During his joint statement with Viktor Orban at midday, Emmanuel Macron, who thanked Hungary for its participation in the European grouping of special forces Takuba in the Sahel, initiated by Paris "to fight terrorism", underlined his will alliance with Budapest on subjects such as nuclear and defense, despite disagreements with this sovereignist government in opposition to its Europhile positions.

The head of state was to participate Monday evening in the plenary meeting of the summit of the countries of the Visegrad group (Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia).

With AFP

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