Hungary will be able to reach the goals outlined in the Paris climate change agreement without wind power, he said. The cabinet believes it is not being negative when it comes to wind power, but for certain ecological and economic reasons it is taking a “cautious” line.

He said a review of German rules for regulating wind power would be conducted. Meanwhile, he said the cabinet has approved the sum of 1,200 billion forints (EUR 3.9bn) for developing Hungary’s rail network. The development project for the period ending in 2022 includes the purchase of trains, developing tracks and rail hubs, he said.

Plans include modernising the track between Budapest and Százhalombatta, in central Hungary, and between the capital and Hatvan, north-east of Budapest. Further, the track either side of Lake Balaton will be revamped. He added that around 100 billion forints would be devoted to the purchase of train carriages. The cabinet has also approved a project to develop Debrecen (E) and Kecskemét (C) airports.

He also noted that the strategic cabinet would put on its agenda options for connecting downtown Budapest to Ferenc Liszt Airport with a rail link. Also, Lázár said it is expected that staff in the armed forces will be increased by 2,000. Details of the plan are in the process of being worked out, he noted.

On the topic of migration, referring to Matteo Renzi’s comments directed at central European countries, Lázár said that currently there is no legal or political basis for the threats of Italy’s prime minister in connection with illegal migration.

Renzi has threatened to veto European Union funding if CEE countries refuse to play their part in the resettlement of migrants in Europe.

Lázár said the Hungarian government’s standpoint is that Hungary’s defence of the external border is succeeding in keeping migrants away from Europe.

Today it is impossible to connect the issue of how migrants are handled to the fate of cohesion funding, he added. Hungary, however, will not rule out examining the EU basic treaty and thereby launching a debate on the matter, Lázár said.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.