Economy
Hungary's Orbán may clear up debate with Juncker face-to-face
“We never engage in verbal ping-pong with heads of state or government, especially never in the press room," replied European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas to a question by a journalist whether the EU executive considers taking its infringement procedure against Hungary to the next stage.
Schinas stressed that the position of the European Commission on this matter was laid out very clearly by President Juncker relayed in his letter to Orbán.
Viktor Orbán in his reply to Juncker’s reply: “Your interpretation of the principle of solidarity is not in accordance with European Union legislation, or with Hungarian historic traditions."
“The interpretation of the principle of solidarity described in your letter is in essence the transformation of Hungary into an immigrant country, against the will of Hungarian citizens. In my view this is not solidarity, it is violence."
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó in an interview published in Wednesday’s edition of Austrian daily Wiener Zeitung: “We are getting sick of statements concerning solidarity, according to which people should not pick and choose and every country must accept refugees".
“Why isn’t border protection included in the category of solidarity? Aren’t we showing solidarity by sending help to Slovenia and Bulgaria?"
János Lázár, the minister leading the Prime Minister’s Office, to the press on Thursday: While the European Court resorts to a dictate in relation to Hungary, other Member States which likewise fail to observe the quota decision are not subjected to sanctions of any kind. The quotas cannot be taken seriously due to these double standards, the whole thing is a mere farce which has nothing to do with solidarity, it is only about the fact that Brussels believes that it can dictate to the Member States.
Orbán may settle dispute face-to-face
There is indeed a “verbal ping-pong", as Schinas put it, between Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. They have exchanged letters about what solidarity is after Orbán told Juncker Brussels should cover half of what Hungary has spent on border protection.Schinas stressed that the position of the European Commission on this matter was laid out very clearly by President Juncker relayed in his letter to Orbán.
The two leaders will meet soon, on the 28 of September in Tallin for the Digital Summit. And, of course, if Prime Minister Orbán would like to discuss anything with President Juncker, he will be available before that.
“As far as we are concerned, the President said what he had to say in his letter," he added.Different interpretations of solidarity
Jean-Claude Juncker in his reply to Orbán’s letter: "Solidarity is a two-way street. There are times in which Member States may expect to receive support, and times in which they, in turn, should stand ready to contribute. And solidarity is not an à-la-carte dish; one that can be chosen for border management, and rejected when it comes to complying with relocation decisions that have been jointly agreed."Viktor Orbán in his reply to Juncker’s reply: “Your interpretation of the principle of solidarity is not in accordance with European Union legislation, or with Hungarian historic traditions."
“The interpretation of the principle of solidarity described in your letter is in essence the transformation of Hungary into an immigrant country, against the will of Hungarian citizens. In my view this is not solidarity, it is violence."
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó in an interview published in Wednesday’s edition of Austrian daily Wiener Zeitung: “We are getting sick of statements concerning solidarity, according to which people should not pick and choose and every country must accept refugees".
“Why isn’t border protection included in the category of solidarity? Aren’t we showing solidarity by sending help to Slovenia and Bulgaria?"
János Lázár, the minister leading the Prime Minister’s Office, to the press on Thursday: While the European Court resorts to a dictate in relation to Hungary, other Member States which likewise fail to observe the quota decision are not subjected to sanctions of any kind. The quotas cannot be taken seriously due to these double standards, the whole thing is a mere farce which has nothing to do with solidarity, it is only about the fact that Brussels believes that it can dictate to the Member States.
