Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his annual state of the nation speech in Budapest, Hungary, February 18, 2018. Slogan reads "For us, Hungary first!". REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
BUDAPEST, Hungary wants at least half of the more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) it has spent on border protection to be reimbursed from European Union funds, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.
"We have spent over 1 billion euros on border protection. We are not only protecting ourselves, but Europe as well. At least half of this sum should be reimbursed," Orban said in a video posted on his Facebook page ahead of a summit of European leaders in Brussels.
He also said Hungary would propose to EU leaders a "red card" procedure to enhance the sovereignty of national parliaments that would give national parliaments the power to stop debates in Europe if they are perceived to be violating the national interest.
