Europe needs to undergo renewal Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on public radio Kossuth on Friday and expressed support for the enlargement of the bloc, which he stated is in Hungary's interest.

Regarding issues the Government would represent in the European Council, he mentioned tax cuts, a radical reduction of red tape, support for small and medium-sized companies and the state stepping in as an employer where the market fails to provide jobs. On the subject of Hungary's euro zone membership, he said he would not offer any projections about the future, but he stated that the euro should become a global currency.

On the turbulences in neighbouring Ukraine, Prime Minister Orbán emphasised that his recent comments on autonomy of the Hungarians in Transcarpathia were well timed because a new Ukraine was emerging and now is the time when the EU has to come up with its expectations, regarding minority rights as well.

Talking about Hungary's institution of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole, he stated that based on the reasoning by the Strasbourg court in the matter, he did not see a reason for Hungary to change its laws. He added that capital punishment would also have a deterrent effect on crime, yet the European Union also prohibits it.

Commenting on the issue of free palinka distillation, he said a new legal solution is being prepared that will enable palinka distillation in Hungary while respecting the European court's decision.

(Prime Minister's Office)