5/30/2023 1:17 pm (act. 5/30/2023 1:17 pm)
Edtstadler at the meeting of European ministers in Brussels ©APA/EVA MANHART
Europe Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) has again criticized the EU Parliament’s planned resolution on Hungary’s suitability to assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2024. “It is not convenient to deny a country the Presidency of the Council of the EU “, Edtstadler said ahead of a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels on Tuesday. The resolution, set for a vote on Thursday, casts doubt on Hungary’s suitability for breaches of the EU country’s rule of law.
“The rule of law is something that cannot be compromised. But we have to deal with the matter objectively and see where progress has been made”, emphasized the minister. Europe is built on the rule of law: “I see it as an opportunity if Hungary prioritizes European interests during the Presidency of the Council and has to prepare accordingly. We have clear rules: there is no provision in the EU Treaty to revoke a Presidency of the Council.”
Hungary still has some time to prepare: “We must assess this honestly. EU funds are still frozen because Hungary deviated from the rule of law,” said Edtstadler. But she sees progress. Her German counterpart Anna Lührmann, on the other hand, expressed “doubts about the extent to which Hungary can manage a successful Council Presidency”.
Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga described the discussion as “complete nonsense”, which, in her opinion, is not political pressure from the European Parliament, which does not respect European values, democracy and the rule of law.” The EU Parliament “plays no role here. EU law determines the order of Council Presidencies.” Hungary has almost 20 years of experience in the EU and is therefore well prepared, she stressed in Brussels on Tuesday.
In order to make the EU fit for the future and for even more member states, ministers discussed the principle of unanimity for decisions at an informal dinner on Monday night. According to Edtstadler, the question of whether treaty changes would be needed when Ukraine joins was discussed: “But that requires a unanimous decision and I think there will still be a lot of discussion.”
In preparation for the European Council at the end of June, migration was also on the agenda of Tuesday’s Council. On the subject of pushbacks, i.e. illegal refusals to third countries, Edtstadler emphasized that Athens clearly condemned them. Her Greek counterpart promised her an investigation. “Greece will, however, ensure that illegal migration does not increase disproportionately. Greece is an exposed state on the external border of the EU. We must find solutions together”, contradicted the proposal of the minister of his party colleague Othmar Karas for processes of offense against Athens. However, the migrants’ resistance must be “obviously condemned”.