Speaking in the break of a conference on the future of Europe, Gyurcsány named as priorities a new European Constitution, dual citizenship reflecting both national and European identity, coordinated EU border defence, common foreign and defence policy, common social security and labour law with wages at European standards.

“The western European nations have reached a higher standard of living and this is what we should achieve, too. Let’s catch up with Brussels!” he said, referring to the government’s current billboard campaign “Let’s stop Brussels!”

MEP Frank Engel, representing the European People’s Party of which ruling Fidesz is a member, said that migration should be viewed as a situation to be solved rather than as a crisis. Engel praised DK for conveying the message that the EU is not against Hungary.

Ulrike Lunacek, Vice President of the European Parliament and member of the green alliance there, took a stand for the idea of the United States of Europe and said that all European countries should take a part in meeting the challenge of migration by accepting refugees.

The conference, also marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, was organised by the EP group Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and DK’s New Republic Foundation.

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

MTI photo: Balogh Zoltán