The EU Council does not expect that the European Union will be able to move from discussing the rule of law in Hungary to the application of specific sanctions to Budapest.
On Monday in Brussels, on the eve of the EU Council meeting on general issues, which will again be heard on Hungary on the rule of law and which will be held on Tuesday, a high -ranking European diplomat told reporters. Earlier, a number of media reported that at a meeting of Hungary could be deprived of the right of vote.
“The ministers will hold the 8th hearing for Hungary under the procedure of Article 7. This procedure, as you remember, has been initiated by a recent proposal for the European Parliament of September 2018. The goal is to provide the Council with updated information and a picture of the situation in Hungary,” he specified.
Answering the questions what specific expectations of these hearings, the interlocutor of journalists stressed that this issue is not a new point on the agenda and stands during each presidency of the EU Member Country, with the exception of Hungary itself. It is known that EU member states are presiding on the European Council on a rotary basis for six months, Hungary presented from July 1 to December 31, 2024.
“We expect the hearing. So I expect that Hungary will present the state of affairs, the commission will also make a report, and I am sure that Member States will make their comments. But, as far as I know, this is not the point that is subject to decision-making,” he explained.
As is known, Article 7 (1), known as “precautions” can be applied if there is a clear risk of serious violation of EU values and initiates a dialogue between EU institutions and a Member State to solve problems before being discussed for discussion.
The diplomat was also asked to activate part 2 of Article 7, which provides for a mechanism of sanctions that are allowed to suspend certain rights, including its right to vote in the Council. In this case, a serious violation should last for a certain time.
The interlocutor of journalists reminded that the decision to activate part 2 of Article 7 is made unanimity. “It is difficult to say if there will be unanimity, but I think anyone can answer this question on their own,” he said, in mind that Hungary will not vote against himself.
