World

Hungary's Orban reaffirms EU, NATO membership, recognizes far-right Jobbik as main challenger

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center, applauds the audience after he addressed a conference held on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the formation of his government in 2010 in the atrium of the Budapest History Museum in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, May 29, 2015. Orban has recognized the far-right Jobbik party as the “leading opposition party” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to its membership in the European Union and NATO. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP) (The Associated Press)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a conference held on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the formation of his government in 2010 in the atrium of the Budapest History Museum in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, May 29, 2015. Orban has recognized the far-right Jobbik party as the “leading opposition party” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to its membership in the European Union and NATO. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP) (The Associated Press)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a conference held on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the formation of his government in 2010 in the atrium of the Budapest History Museum in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, May 29, 2015. Orban has recognized the far-right Jobbik party as the “leading opposition party” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to its membership in the European Union and NATO. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP) (The Associated Press)

Hungary's prime minister says that despite differences of opinion, the country must remain a member of the European Union and NATO.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday in a speech celebrating five years in government that while some EU proposals "border on the insane," he opposes any attempt to make Hungary exit the EU or NATO.

Orban, whose Fidesz party holds a comfortable majority in parliament, said it is in Hungary's interest to improve the EU, "but not to leave" it.

Probably for the first time, Orban acknowledged that the far-right Jobbik party was now the main challenger.

Jobbik, which calls NATO a "security risk" for Hungary and wants a referendum to confirm EU membership, has been steadily behind Fidesz but ahead of the left wing parties in opinion polls.