Written answers

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

EU Treaties

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the anti-democratic actions of the Prime Minister of Hungary Mr Victor Orbán; his further views on the actions that should be taken against Mr Orbán; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27998/18]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Respect for the fundamental values on which the European Union is founded and which are set out in the Treaty, including respect for the rule of law and freedom of expression, are crucial underpinnings for all the EU Member States. There have been concerns over the civic space available for NGOs to continue to operate in Hungary.

The Taoiseach, when he met with Prime Minister Orban on 4 January last, raised concerns over the rule of law situation in Hungary and the concerns raised by the European Commission and other international organisations and NGOs regarding freedoms of the press and judiciary and migration – concerns which I share.

The Taoiseach also raised the Hungarian NGO law, and the law on Higher Education which threatens the Central European University in Budapest, for which Hungary has been referred to the European Court of Justice.

These concerns have been exacerbated by the passage of legislation recently by the Hungarian Parliament aimed at individuals and organisations providing lawful assistance to migrants and asylum seekers.

The strength of our common European Union depends on robust civic and democratic spaces, an active, strong and diverse civil society, and meaningful consultation between governments and civil society to promote peace, prosperity, national development and the well-being of all people.

The European Commission is, in the first instance, charged with ensuring the application of the treaties and is responsible for promoting the general interest of the Union.

Last December, the Commission announced that it was referring Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union in relation to inter-alia, the laws on higher education (the “Lex CEU”) and on NGOs adopted in 2017. In the case of these two issues, Hungary is considered to have failed to address EU concerns about these laws or amend the legislation to bring it in line with EU standards. These cases are likely to be heard by the Court later this year.

The European Commission has also announced that it will examine the legislation, popularly known as the “Stop Soros” legislation, adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on 20 June to determine if it complies fully with EU law. In doing so, the Commission will also take account of the report and recommendations of the Council of Europe Venice Commission which issued on 22 June and which criticised the new legislation as not meeting EU and international legal standards.

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