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April 28, 2017 www.intellinews.com I Page 3
“Such tensions help governments to continue to justify the need to modernise their military capa- bilities, and to drive military spending upwards. On the other hand, economic growth in the region has generally continued, even if sometimes at a lower rate than in previous years, which makes
it possible to increase military spending without increasing the military burden on the economy.”
Meanwhile, low oil prices also dragged down military spending in most oil exporting countries,
EC launches infringement procedure against Hungary’s attack
on university
The EU executive said the law conflicts with EU tenets of freedom to provide services and the freedom of establishment, as well as academic and business freedoms.
In a speech in front of the European Parliament on April 26, Orban called the accusations "unfounded". By way of evidence, he quoted CEU rector Michael Ignatieff's recent statement to the university staff. "We would like to emphasise that the existence of the Central European University is not threatened by anything, the university will continue to operate under any circumstances,” Orban repeated. The PM argued that, in light of this statement, "the charge is baseless. The situation is absurd".
The European Commission announced on April 26
with notable exceptions such as Russia and Iran. The largest declines in spending among oil ex- porters were seen in Venezuela (-56%), South Sudan (-54%) and Azerbaijan (-36%), with a reduc- tion also noted in Kazakhstan.
Spending also fell in Latin America and sub-Saha- ran Africa. A drop was also reported in the Middle East (as far as there is available data) but reduc- tions of spending in Iraq and Saudi Arabia were offset by “substantial increases” in Iran and Kuwait.
that it has sent Hungary a formal letter as the first step of the infringement procedure. The Hungar- ian government has one month to reply – half the usual time allotted – after the Commission fast- tracked the procedure.
Brussels said it will continue pursuing a dialogue with Hungary on other outstanding concerns, including in the field of asylum. The Commis- sion noted it will follow closely the draft law on the registration of NGOs "which has also raised concerns".
On April 26 the Commission also published a four-page rebuttal to Budapest’s multi-mil- lion-euro "Stop Brussels" information cam- paign against the EU, saying the consultation contained six claims that were “factually incorrect or highly misleading”.
Fidesz's latest illiberal moves have put pressure on the EPP grouping of centre-right European po- litical parties to discipline or even eject the party from its ranks, though the grouping is expected not to do so because it would erode its position as the largest bloc in the European Parliament.