If UK citizens will also be given the right to take up jobs in the EU, then the UK, on the principle of reciprocity, will guarantee those same rights for EU citizens on its own territory, he added. Europe’s interest lies in Brexit being successful and the UK remaining a successful country after leaving the EU, he said. Hungary is convinced that there is a solution which could benefit both entities, he said.

Commenting on criticism directed towards Hungary over its use of EU funds, Lázár underscored the government’s position that a member state’s rights to EU cohesion funds and solidarity in connection with the migrant crisis were separate matters.

He said Hungary had made the most effective use of EU cohesion monies. The government once again discussed the matter of EU funds with the European Commission on Wednesday, adding that the EC had applied a “constructive” approach to the issue.

He said most of the criticism Hungary gets in connection with its use of cohesion funds were based on complaints sent to the EC from Hungary. Answering a question about the possibility of the EU granting Turkey visa-free status, Lázár said he expected serious debates over the matter within the EU, as a number of political players had expressed concern over the idea, including ones in Austria and Germany.

On the subject of the EU-Turkey migration deal, Lázár said that like Hungary and the other Visegrad Four countries, Austria, too, was now pessimistic about the pact. He insisted that the EU’s delay in granting Turkey visa-free status was hampering the implementation of the agreement. He echoed Austria’s sentiment that the EU-Turkey deal would not lead to the protection and strengthening of the EU’s external borders. He praised Austria’s new government for its efforts to resolve the migration crisis.

Lázár also commented on Germany’s proposal that migrants arriving across the Mediterranean should be turned back to camps in Tunisia and Egypt and wait there until the EU decides whether or not to admit them.

The government office chief said this proposal was in line with Hungary’s position that migration into Europe should be stopped altogether.

Speaking about the amendment proposal to the public procurement law before parliament, Lázár said the government was open to input from both domestic and international civil groups in connection with the bill. The main aim of the bill is to streamline, speed up and set stricter rules for government spending.

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

MTI photo: Kovács Attila