BUDAPEST, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The nomination of Ursula von der Leyen to head the European Commission has been a victory of the V4 countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia), according to official sources here on Wednesday.
"An important victory has been achieved but new debates keep coming up in international politics," said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban concerning the results of Tuesday's European Commission summit, quoted by a statement published on the Hungarian government's website.
He added: "At least now we have the strength to stand up for ourselves."
"Neither Manfred Weber, nor Frans Timmermans cared for the interests of eastern Europe. Fortunately, we succeeded in stopping them," Orban explained.
Hungary and the V4 countries played a decisive role in Tuesday's events. After facing tough criticism from the leaders of this region, Manfred Weber withdrew from the race as early as Tuesday afternoon. Timmermans met with the same fate, rejected by the V4 before quitting the competition, according to the statement.
Instead of Weber or Timmermans, the V4 leaders nominated Ursula von der Leyen, the German federal minister of defense: "The Visegrad Four support German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen as the next EU Commission president."
Von der Leyen, a medical doctor and mother of seven, has served as a minister in every Merkel Government. She was later officially nominated by the Council.
"This decision in and of itself indicates that some sweeping changes are due to take place in European politics," Orban told.
Orban underlined: "There will be disagreements, conflicts, fights, but the chances of a successful resolution and outcomes favorable for our country have never been this high. We scored a crucial victory. We now have the power to let ourselves be heard, and to assert our interests as necessary."
Orban also highlighted that "Serious mistakes have been made in the European Union over the past few years which will have to be put right."
Orban added that although economic policy, migration policy and "respect for the nations" were still problematic issues, "the chances to find a solution were much better now."
Orban concluded by saying that the V4's role was especially important now, and not only in light of the recent events. "The alliance of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland is a success story, as it is the group of nations showing the most solidarity with each other within the bloc," he noted.
Orban also praised Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic which currently holds the V4 rotating presidency, for keeping the group united.
