The study published today by Transparency International Hungary does not reveal anything new. What it states is exactly what Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office János Lázár has been saying about the National Development Agency since it was taken over by the Prime Minister’s Office in August 2013. The agency had been “operating as a state within a state”, and the Prime Minister’s Office dissolved it in 2014.

The development system established in 2007 was non-transparent, corrupt, and disregarded the interests of the Hungarian economy; but due to EU rules it could only be reformed from 2010 onwards. It only became possible to radically change it in 2014.

Whenever either Transparency International or other civil organisations have drawn the Government’s attention to suspected irregularities, the Prime Minister’s Office has acted immediately and ordered special investigations. When necessary it has also taken steps towards launching criminal proceedings.

The Government has always taken criticism concerning procurement seriously: it is continuously improving the legal and institutional frameworks for the use of public money.

All 28 Member States of the European Union face the question of how it is possible to strengthen the economies of nation states while also fully complying with EU rules.

The new procurement law which took effect on 1 November 2015 points in this direction. It was approved after more than one year of consultation with society and relevant organisations. Comments received during this public consultation process – including recommendations from Transparency International on ensuring transparency and lack of corruption – have been incorporated into the new law.

With this law, the Government and the parliamentary majority have given everyone – including Transparency International – the clear message that they are knocking on an open door. In accordance with this aim, the Government will delegate a number of state representatives to attend Transparency International’s next event, scheduled for December 2015.

(Prime Minister's Office)