H.E. Mr. Gergely Bánhegyi:

Regarding the rule of law and dialogue in the Council, the Hungarian Presidency will conduct the Council's rule-of-law dialogue in the spirit of sincere co-operation and as an honest broker. During our term, we will organise a horizontal debate and country-specific discussion on the situation in four member states based on the Commission's 2024 rule-of-law report. Hungary would be among these four member states and Poland would be in the next package. Hungary and Poland agree that, during the Hungarian Presidency, the Polish and Hungarian context will be discussed. Rule of law is very much connected to the Article 7 procedure. We have a clear position that there is no reason to maintain and continue the Article 7 procedure against Hungary. Hungary has always taken part in this procedure in a constructive and transparent manner to provide replies to all questions posed by the Commission and the Parliament. We hope that most questions can be agreed on and we will be able to close this chapter as soon as possible.