Index – Foreign Affairs – Czech minister: I really hope that Hungary will receive the funds
More than a month ago, when the sanctions against Russia were extended, the head of the ministry already spoke about how Hungary is getting further and further away from the EU mainstreamand it is not even impossible that it will eventually leave the EU as part of this process.
Speaking to rtl.hu, Mikulas Bek said that he was not surprised that Viktor Orbán was booed by locals before the recently held EU summit in Prague. “In Prague, they used to demonstrate against the policies of our government. It can be similarly difficult, this is part of the normal course of business,” he said, and then to the question of why Viktor Orbán was whistled, he answered:
it is quite clear that, in my opinion, the Hungarian is considered a divisive politician in the eyes of the public.
The minister then referred to Hungary’s position within the EU and said that a lot could depend on how the issue of new resources and the rule of law mechanism was settled by the end of the year. He acknowledged that the Hungarian government has been willing to do a lot of things lately, that the others are also willing to give Hungary time.
So we’re waiting to see what they come up with. On the other hand, it is quite clear that a significant part of the problems discussed now cannot be solved. Hungary has vetoed it or threatened it many times. Not only in connection with sanctions, but also in connection with international agreements and tax matters. We’ll see what the future brings
– it summed up for RTL Czech minister making a statement.
The matter may remain on the agenda next year as well
According to Mikulas Bek, there is a good chance that an agreement on new sources will be reached, but he also adds that this does not completely close the issue.
I expect the approval of the Hungarian recovery plan to be tied to further milestones for the funds. In the following years, they can systematically check and then discuss whether the Hungarian government really fulfills its commitments
– he said, adding: “Some groups, especially those that account for the bulk of the Union’s budget, are quite critical and strict about the situation in Hungary.”
Without agreement, further escalation may occur
Mikulas Bek also said: I am looking forward to Hungary receiving the frozen funds, because if this does not happen, then “the conflict between Hungary and the members of the European Union will further deepen, it will further strengthen the removal of the country” from the European community.
Failure to agree on new sources could escalate the situation to a point of no return
– said the Czech minister in the later part of the interview, adding that he believed that this conflict was caused by Hungary, because “there is no ill will on the part of the European Commission. In Hungary, there are real problems with the use of new resources and with certain measures of the Orbán government”.
(Cover photo: Mikulas Bek on July 14, 2022 in Prague. Photo: Milan Kammermayer / AFP)