FIREBRAND leader Viktor Orban has ordered the European Union to offer Boris Johnson a “generous” future trade deal after Brexit.
In his latest clash with the Brussels establishment, the Hungarian prime minister said it was in the bloc’s interest to strike up a wide-ranging deal by the end of the year.
His intervention came after Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said a comprehensive agreement would take longer than the 11-month transition period.
Speaking in Budapest, Mr Orban said: “I believe a generous and strategic cooperation is needed with the British in the coming period when they are no longer members of the EU.”
“I regard Boris Johnson as one of the bravest European politicians,” he added.
The Hungarian claimed “the whole world was against” Mr Johnson and the Conservative party when they won a huge majority in last month’s general election.
Mr Orban also countered claims by Mr Barnier that failing to strike a deal before the end of the transition period would be more harmful to the UK than EU.
He concluded that post-Brexit Britain would success and praised the “fantastic door, a fantastic opportunity” the country has created for itself.
“I am sure there is a success story in the making there,” he said.
Earlier today, Mr Barnier rubbished Mr Johnson’s plan to conclude and implement a future trade deal in Brussels before the end of the transition period.
The Prime Minister yesterday warned EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that he would not extend the period, under which the UK continues to follow EU rules.
Mr Barnier told a group of Swedish eurocrats: “The UK represents nine percent of all EU27 trade.
“But more significantly, the EU27 accounts for 43 percent of all UK exports and 50 percent of its imports.
“So, it is clear that if we fail to reach a deal, it will be more harmful for the UK than for the EU27.”
Mr Barnier also hinted that negotiations would not start within days of Britain’s departure on January 31.
The Brussels bureaucrat said EU leaders would first be asked to rubber-stamp his negotiating mandate before he can officially enter into talks with Britain.
“Like I said earlier, the timetable ahead of us is extremely challenging,” he said.
“That is why we will look to organise the negotiations to make the most of the very short time available.
“By February 1, the Commission will be ready to propose a mandate for the negotiations to EU member states.
“I hope that we can launch negotiations soon after. At the end of February or the first days of March.”
