Hungary expects financial assistance from the EU
2022.11.29 04:15
Hungary expects financial assistance from the EU
Budrigannews.com – On Tuesday, the minister in charge of EU negotiations stated that the government of Hungary anticipates that the plan for its recovery fund will be approved by EU finance ministers at an Ecofin meeting on December 12.
Tibor Navracsics, the minister, also stated that he expects the European Commission to recommend that EU governments suspend 65 percent of transfers from the EU budget to Hungary, or approximately $7.79 billion.
Navracsics reiterated that Hungary would fulfill its promises to Brussels and anticipates receiving all suspended funds the following year.
Last week, people at the EU executive said that the European Commission is likely to approve Hungary’s post-pandemic recovery plan to keep the possibility of future EU payments open but to hold off on any payments until Budapest meets all agreed-upon conditions.
Navracsics, the person in charge of Budapest’s talks with the EU, told a news briefing, “I have done my best.”
The nationalist government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been attempting to reclaim billions of euros that have been frozen due to risks of corruption and an erosion of the rule of law in Hungary over the past few months.
Navracsics stated, “We are in time if we can sign the partnership agreement with the EU in December and if the Council adopts the recovery plan… however, now the emphasis is on the possible suspension of EU funds.”
After months of discussions with Orban’s government regarding EU concerns regarding high-level corruption, the independence of courts, non-governmental institutions, and the media, as well as the rights of minorities, the Commission decided to withhold funds.
Navracsics responded, “Yes,” when asked if there was room for a last-minute political compromise with Brussels in December to avoid a fund suspension:
