The European Commission has no competence to prepare comparative analyses regarding the state of the rule of law and to impose consequences on Member States based on their findings, the Justice Minister said on Kossuth Radio’s programme ‘Good morning, Hungary’ on Monday.

Judit Varga said according to a 2014 Council conclusion, a dialogue on the rule of law can only be conducted on an intergovernmental basis, based on the principles of non-discrimination and the equal treatment of all Member States.

In her view, the EU would like to avoid this by setting up a regime which – relying on the Commission’s information – is able pass judgment over Member States with a qualified majority decision. This is contrary to the rule of law, the Minister stated.

She added that if one Member State has a problem with another, the leaders of those countries should have the courage to tell this to one another’s faces, rather than hide behind the European Commission.

Ms. Varga also mentioned that Hungary takes a firm, conservative stance on crucial issues, and this is why it is being punished.

However, the rule of law cannot be tied to the disbursement of grants or the protection of financial interests because that would only add to unfair practices, the Minister said.

(Ministry of Justice / MTI)