Hungary sincerely hopes that the political witch-hunt launched against the Polish government may soon come to an end and that the European Commission will finally show respect for Member State legislation resting on the pillars of national traditions and sovereignty, Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office stated on Tuesday after the meeting of the General Affairs Council held in Luxembourg.

After the debate of the Council meeting concerning the state of the rule of law in Poland, the Minister of State told Hungarian journalists by telephone that Poland deserves respect as, despite an EU procedure that can hardly be described as fair, the Polish government is engaged in constructive talks with the European Commission and is adopting measures in consideration of its recommendations.

Hungary does not agree with the procedure, and continues to disapprove of the fact that the European Commission is conducting its procedure against the Polish government before the wider public – instead of handling the issues in question on a bilateral basis –, thereby increasing the political pressure exerted on Poland, the Minister of State said. At the same time, he said it is a favourable development that Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission recently started meaningful talks with the Polish government.

We must appreciate Poland’s openness as the Polish government has amended the disputed laws on the issues most contested by the European Commission, the Minister of State underlined.

(MTI)