Prime Minister Viktor Orbán participated in an interview at the public Kossuth Radio. Regarding the flood situation the Prime Minister declared that with unprecedented cooperation, good organization and expertise the danger could be averted and dykes were functioning well.

The Prime Minister will visit on Saturday those areas, where the flood will leave the country. He said that attention must be paid to the Serbian parts of the river, because if there is a trouble there then the water may flow back to Hungary because of the features of the terrain. According to the Prime Minister it may not be excluded that Hungary would receive EU funds for restoriation work stating that the Czechs, Germans and Hungarians are in the same shoes. An agreement has already been made between the government and leaders of local governments which will be provided by all necessary assistance. The Prime Minister pointed out that everything has been protected that had to be, but it must be considered what can be done for the future, emphasizing that the protection of human lives remains top priority.

The government has decided this week to propose the amendment of the Fundamental Law related to the indications of the European Commission that may result in abolishing court case transfers and tax levies based on court decisions. The Prime Minister said that the amendment of the Fundamental Law is in the interest of the country, and concessions must be made time by time.

Regarding the economic situation the Prime Minister expressed that the economic upswing will be greater than expected and the expansion may exceed also the anticipations of the government, then added that the economic development may result in new economic policy decisions.

In relation to the newly launched credit program of the Hungarian National Bank Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized that the interest towards the program is great. This must be tried, and if this is good for the Hungarian economy, the entrepreneurs, then it must be continued, he said. Concerning the SMEs he repeated his standpoint that they must be supported and it is an untenable situation that the Hungarian bank system may provide loans for them with 8-10 percent interest rates which is almost impossible to produce.

(Prime Minister’s Office)