The Hungarian government continues to regard the decision of the European Parliament on the adoption of the Sargentini report as invalid, but regardless of this will attend the debate in the General Affairs Council on the procedure instituted under Article Seven, and will attempt to provide full and comprehensive information for every Member State, Gergely Gulyás said.

At his press conference attended by members of the international press, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office said a political procedure is being conducted against Hungary in consequence of a political decision, even if they attempt to disguise this as a procedure connected with the rule of law. He confirmed that the government regards the accusation that there is a systemic threat to the rule of law in Hungary as absurd.

He took the view that it is extremely harmful for the whole of the European Union if political accusations are presented under the disguise of the rule of law, and it is particularly harmful if the European Parliament has no regard for its own jurisdiction when it criticises the decision-making processes of a Member State. In his view, the Sargentini report does not only feature untrue claims and affairs long settled with the European Commission as accusations, but the EP report also takes a stance on issues which do not fall within the EU’s competence.

According to Mr Gulyás, the procedure may create a negative precedent as its institution and the contents of the Sargentini report relay the message to Member States that there is no point in conducting constructive talks and coming to compromises and agreements with the European Commission.

He stressed that in most cases the Hungarian government was prepared to come to a compromise with the Commission, and also respects the decisions of the European Court of Justice. This was so in the case of the media law and the judiciary where the Hungarian Parliament amended the relevant laws in accordance with the agreements reached, and in consequence the infringement procedures were terminated.

If in cases such as these accusations may be levelled repeatedly after the passage of five, six or seven years, this conveys the message that there is no point in cooperating with the institutions of the European Union in a constructive and fair manner, he stated.

Mr Gulyás highlighted that the government contested the European Parliament’s vote on the Sargentini report before the European Court of Justice as a two-thirds majority was reached in the vote in such a way that abstentions were disregarded, a procedure which is contrary to the Treaty of Lisbon. He indicated that while the Hungarian government takes the view that the decision is invalid under procedural law, regardless of this its representative will attend the debate on the procedure instituted under Article Seven in the General Affairs Council, and will attempt to provide full and comprehensive information for every Member State.

According to his information, on Monday in the General Affairs Council the European Commission will render an account of the infringement procedures brought against Hungary earlier, while the government will lay down a hundred-page legal document on the Hungarian position on every Member State’s table. Following this – the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office informed the press – according to plans, there will be a hearing at the meeting of the General Affairs Council to be held on 11 December where he will represent the Hungarian government.

At this meeting, Member States will have the opportunity to ask questions on the basis of the accusations defined in the Sargentini report, the Commission’s information and the in-merit defence presented by the Hungarian government, Mr Gulyás added, indicating that there will be no restriction on the time allowed for answering questions at the hearing. According to the Minister’s information, it is up to the rotating Presidency whether another hearing will be held after the December one or not.

“Our negotiating position is an open and tolerant position, the position of an ally. We believe that this is the right approach even amidst the harsh signs of intolerance manifested vis-a-vis Hungary in the European Parliament”, Mr Gulyás said.

He also observed that from here on it is not up to the Hungarian government to what extent the procedure under Article Seven will become part of the Hungarian and European election campaigns.

It is fine for us either way, but naturally the government would like to give reassuring answers to the questions that have emerged within the shortest possible time, provided that there is interest in the answers and the truth has some significance, he said.

In answer to a question, Mr Gulyás said he does not believe that the required four-fifths majority necessary for taking the procedure to the next phase will be obtained. In his view, it appears evident, however, that the debate is determined by political, rather than legal arguments.

Speaking about the congress of the European People’s Party on Thursday in Helsinki, on behalf of Fidesz Mr Gulyás welcomed the fact that from between the two candidates Manfred Weber became the lead candidate and the Commission’s presidential candidate.

He took the view that it indicates the insistence of the People’s Party on the facts that, despite all news reports and statements, the idea that there should be any change in the relationship of Fidesz and the People’s Party did not emerge in any form. He stressed that the People’s Party can only be the EU’s largest party if it is able to preserve its diversity. He highlighted that Fidesz is not only the most successful party of the European People’s Party, but has always been a loyal ally. In his view, the People’s Party came out stronger after the Helsinki congress, and was able to demonstrate unity.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)