Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said today that he is optimistic that the countries of Central Europe will reach an agreement with Great Britain regarding its plan to limit social assistance to migrants in Europe, but that Hungarians should not be discriminated against.
The countries of the Visegrad Group will form a common position on the reform of benefits, Orban said after talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is visiting Budapest to strengthen support for his proposals on EU reform ahead of the planned referendum on Great Britain's EU membership.
Orbán emphasized that Hungary fully supports three of Cameron's four reform proposals, reports Reuters.
However, as he said, the issue of social benefits is "more difficult", and Hungary cannot accept any discrimination.
Cameron said his proposal to cap benefits for EU migrants during their first four years in Britain "remains on the table" but was open to alternatives.
"We need to look for solutions rather than compromises, but I am confident that we can reach an agreement," Cameron said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said earlier today that talks on EU reform are going well and expressed confidence that issues such as migration and competitiveness will be resolved in a way that satisfies Britain.
Britain should decide on remaining in the Union in a referendum by the end of 2017, and Cameron is trying to negotiate with the Union on the issues that bother the British the most.
One of the most controversial issues is benefits for workers coming from other EU countries.
Cameron wants the Union to reduce bureaucracy and transfer more powers from Brussels to member states.
He also wants guarantees that Britain will be protected from greater political integration and economic decisions by eurozone members, which is not in dispute so far.
A key point of contention is that Cameron wants to end benefits for migrants from other EU countries during their first four years in Britain.
This, in the opinion of the members of the Union, violates the principle of non-discrimination and freedom of movement between EU countries.
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