Hungary's Orban voices 'optimism' after French far-right win, says EU must change
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00:00Make Europe Great Again.
00:03This is Hungary's programme slogan for its six-month-long EU presidency.
00:08It's a motto that echoes Donald Trump's slogan and one that's exacerbating concerns in Brussels.
00:13Clampdowns on LGBTQ rights and restrictions on press freedoms and judicial independence
00:18are some of the changes that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made since coming
00:23back to power in the country in 2010.
00:26Some of them have resulted in rebukes from Brussels.
00:29Budapest is currently seeking to unlock billions of euros in EU funds, frozen over issues
00:34including LGBTQ rights and the treatment of asylum seekers.
00:39Orban is the only EU leader to maintain close ties with Russia in spite of its invasion
00:43of Ukraine and Budapest has a history of delaying or blocking funds and weapons for Kiev.
00:49But despite the tensions, Hungary insists it is ready to assume the responsibilities
00:53that come with the presidency.
00:57As a presidency, we will act as honest brokers, collaborating faithfully with all member
01:01states and institutions.
01:02At the same time, Hungary has an outspoken European policy that offers a clear alternative
01:08and our efforts will reflect this European vision.
01:11Budapest has outlined seven priorities for its presidency, including bringing Western
01:16Balkans countries closer to EU membership, economic competitiveness and curbing illegal
01:21immigration.
01:22According to analysts, Hungary's impact at the forefront of EU policymaking is likely
01:27to be limited, due to Brussels being in a transition phase after elections last month.