Orban urges EU to adapt to global challenges

BUDAPEST - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday urged the European Union (EU) to adapt to global challenges and redefine its role to remain competitive on the world stage.

Reviewing Hungary's EU presidency, Orban criticized the EU's inability to address pressing geopolitical and economic shifts, suggesting that the bloc is overly focused on internal regulatory expansion. He argued that Europe has failed to tackle key issues such as energy security, illegal migration, and economic resilience.

"Brussels is sitting idly in the locker room while the rest of the world moves forward," he said.

Orban warned that the bloc's growing isolation from major countries -- including the United States, China and Russia -- and the rising influence of Africa was a mistake.

"If this continues, the EU will become an absolute loser," he said.

Reiterating Hungary's commitment to national sovereignty, Orban condemned what he described as "blackmail" by EU institutions.

"We are not followers but creators of models and bold experimenters," Orban said, stressing his country's focus on shaping its path rather than conforming to EU directives.

Orban also expressed optimism about a political shift in the European Parliament, describing the European elections as a potential turning point.

Stressing the importance of EU reform, he said, "We don't want to shape Europe; we just want to live our own lives. But Europe's health matters because it impacts all of us."