Hungary is among the top 8 growth performers in the EU, with the second quarter showing an increase of 1.3% year on year, the national economy ministry said on Wednesday, quoting Eurostat data. Hungary is ahead of Belgium, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Latvia and Germany on this score, as growth came in double the rate of the euro zone (0.6%) and much stronger than the EU average of 0.8%, it said. All this in spite of poor external factors, “Brussels’ failed sanctions policy”, and the war in Ukraine, which has dragged down Hungary’s industry and consumer confidence, it added. The government will submit “a peace budget” to MPs this autumn, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses and helping families, the statement said, adding that targeted measures and a swift end to the war would help towards securing 4% growth next year.