The position adopted by Parliament yesterday lays down clear fundamental principles for the Hungarian government regarding the talks about the EU budget to be held at the weekend, Justice Minister Judit Varga stated after today’s video conference of the General Affairs Council.

At the consultation, the German presidency of the Council of the European Union presented its programme and priorities for the next six months. Regarding this, the Justice Minister said Hungary agrees with the German presidency’s concept that after having conquered the consequences of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we will have to create a competitive, digital Europe which will gain in strength both geographically and economically. A fair and balanced multiannual EU budget is essential for this.

We will have to expect tough negotiations, Ms. Varga laid down. Regarding the EU’s multiannual financial framework and the recovery facility, the Justice Minister said in order to offer a solution that is acceptable for all Member States, the proposal must be just and flexible. “We continue to maintain that richer countries should not be given more funding than poorer countries,” the Minister pointed out.

Ms. Varga also drew attention to Parliament’s position adopted on 14 July which lays down clear fundamental principles for the Government of Hungary in relation to the upcoming EU talks. “We expect the distribution of funds to be free from politics, and Brussels to stop tying it to ideological issues,” the Justice Minister underlined.

Parliament has given the government a clear and robust mandate regarding the position to be represented at the negotiations scheduled for the weekend, Ms. Varga stressed.

(Ministry of Justice / MTI)