The situation of Hungary’s rule of law addressed the EU General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. Tuppurainen warns Hungary against using the ratification of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership in trade to get back its aid money.
BRUSSELS European Minister Tytti Tuppurainen (sd.), the threat of losing EU subsidies has caused Hungary to take measures to correct deficiencies related to the rule of law.
– Hungary invests a lot so that the reforms it makes are credible in the Commission’s opinion, Tuppurainen said at the press conference held after the meeting.
In September, the Commission announced that it would cut Hungary’s EU subsidies by 7.5 billion euros if the changes required by the EU are not implemented. Hungarian recovery money, which has not yet been approved at the EU level, is also at stake.
The deadline for the implementation of the 17-item action program demanded by the Commission expires tomorrow. According to Tuppurainen, the reforms made by Hungary will be evaluated in the EU with an open mind.
– Yes, there is a desire to give Hungary the opportunity to show what it is capable of with these reforms.
In Tuppurainen’s opinion, the decisive thing is how the reforms are implemented. He reminds that the use of recovery money and the EU budget can also be interfered with later, if the funds do not go to the right destinations.
– If the plans presented now are approved and the money is released, the story as a whole is not yet here.
According to Hungary, the Commission’s message has been heard
Minister of Justice who represented Hungary in the General Affairs Council Judit Varga assured before the meeting that the views presented by the commission have been taken into account.
– I am very optimistic because we have finally been able to sit down at the table to discuss constructive regulations and proposals to correct the situation, Varga said.
EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders was also hopeful during the meeting.
– It is possible for Hungary to implement real reforms and improve the situation. I hope this happens. However, we will have to evaluate Hungary’s proposals in the coming weeks.
The commission is expected to give its assessment of Hungary’s reforms later this month. The EU finance ministers must also approve the decision to release the funds. In that case, the decision would be made in December.
The situation in Hungary raises concerns
Hungary’s deteriorating rule of law situation has raised concerns in the EU for a long time. According to the report approved by the EU Parliament in September, Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy.
In the spring, the so-called rule of law process was launched against Hungary, the purpose of which is to protect EU budget funds from misuse.
A procedure has also been initiated against Hungary in accordance with the seventh article of the EU for violating the principles of the rule of law. The progress of this process was discussed at today’s meeting.
– There was a wide range of concerns, and it was encouraging to see that several member countries took the opportunity to ask Hungary questions, so this is clearly a shared issue within the Council, Tuppurainen says.
Orbán questions the sanctions
The attitude towards sanctions against Russia has also caused friction between Hungary and the EU. Hungary has been seen putting the brakes on new sanctions against Russia.
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán assessed today in a radio interview that the EU sanctions against Russia are “a step towards war”. Orbán has also opposed the 18 billion euro economic support package for Ukraine.
Tuppurainen emphasizes that Hungary has been involved in deciding on all EU sanctions against Russia so far.
– I assume that, being a party to these decisions, Hungary and its Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also bear the responsibility for these sanctions, and I assume that Hungary and its Prime Minister are also ready to respond together with even tougher sanctions, if the need requires it.
The ratification of the NATO application is still open
Tuppurainen also discussed the acceptance of Finland’s NATO application with his Hungarian colleague. The discussion did not give answers to when Hungary will ratify the membership application.
The public has considered possible connections between the Hungarian Parliament’s ratification and the EU’s funding decisions. According to Tuppurainen, connecting things that are separate from each other is not desirable.
– Such an auction should not take place in the European Union, and especially not at a time when Europe is at war.
From Finland’s point of view, it would be undesirable if Hungary tried to speed up its own interests by linking things together.
– I do not consider it meaningful in any way, nor appropriate, and I have also communicated this clearly.
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