Dispute with EU rooted in changed philosophy, says Orbán

Disputed issues between Hungary and the European Union have mostly arisen from Hungary's changing not only its government but its philosophy two years ago, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Kazakhstan on Friday. The people of Hungary understood in time what European leaders are reluctant to acknowledge, that we can no longer live on as we have done up to now, Orbán told a business forum.
Hungarians realized that Europe was on the wrong track, their country being especially impacted by the loss of direction, the prime minister said.
The Hungarian government has seen during the past two years that Hungary's efforts, aims and new direction is clearly understood by emerging and successful countries in the East, he said.
"They understand, that we want to build our economy on real foundations, real-- one could say tangible -- values, instead of illusions, dogmas and ideologies," Orbán said.
Orbán said the winners in the current global economy would be those who acknowledge the nature of the competition. He explained that this competition is in reality a contest of those who cooperate. A company, a country or a region can be strong, but if it does not recognise in time the cooperative framework in which its own strength can be best used, then it can easily be passed by others.
He said the serious crisis in Europe today clearly shows what happens if a strong player fails to keep up the pace in the new race and turns all of their energy to solving problems created by themselves, instead of trying to seek new cooperation and new, bold solutions to take a place in the most difficult of races.
Between 150 and 200 business representatives participated at the forum on Friday. Among them were ones representing 50 Hungarian companies in the farm, food, finance, drug, medical technology, biotechnology, construction, vehicle, machinery and energy industries.
Orbán said Hungary could become a partner in Kazakhstan's economic modernisation and development.
Orbán spoke about the importance of Hungary's opening up to countries of the East at talks with Karim Masimov, his Kazakh counterpart. Opening to the east is Hungary's response to changes in global economy and this involves a special appreciation of countries such as Kazakhstan, he said.
Masimov highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation between Hungary and Kazakhstan.
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