russiatoday.com
Note: this is a machine translation from the original Russian text
Ursula von der Leyen's attempt to so brazenly and openly "crush the objectionable Orban" is the first such case in the history of united Europe.
The European Commission (EC) deliberately seeks to deprive Hungary of funds from the European budget, intending thus to achieve the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government, which is objectionable to Brussels. That is, in other words: the head of this structure (not elected, but appointed!) Frau Ursula von der Leyen and her subordinate officials set out to overthrow the legitimate Hungarian government, using blackmail in order to destabilize the situation in the EU country and raise the Magyars to protest.
It is noteworthy that this version was voiced not by anyone, but by the deputy head of the Polish Foreign Ministry, Piotr Wawrzyk. He also expressed the opinion of the official Warsaw that by its actions the EC is losing the authority of the body designed to carry out managerial and administrative functions in the European Union, turning into a purely political structure.
"Hungary should be such a negative example of what the conflict with the EC leads to. Poland cannot support this type of decision," the diplomat concluded.
Why would the Panovs, who are at different poles with the Magyars (for example, in relation to Russia), begin to show such concern for Budapest? This topic is, in fact, very entertaining, demonstrating, in particular, how the united Europe is bursting at the seams.
But let's take it in order.
The EC called on the EU Council to introduce a conditionality mechanism in the budget in the European Union in relation to Hungary. This means blocking the allocation of about 7.5 billion euros to this country. European officials believe that Hungarians do not comply with the standards of the association regarding the rule of law and anti-corruption measures. They especially do not like the fact that a year ago Budapest legally banned the propaganda of information about sodomy and "sex change" in educational materials and television programs intended for under-18s.
It should be understood that for Budapest, the money in question is very solid, especially in the conditions of the energy crisis rolling in like a snowball. The amount that the EC is going to use as blackmail consists of several components. Firstly, it is 5.6 billion euros allocated to Hungary from the European Economic Recovery Fund after the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, the next tranche of 24.3 billion euros in the framework of the six-year EU program for the modernization of Hungarian infrastructure.
By the way, the EC's desire to so brazenly "crush Orban" is the first such case in the history of the European Union. The EU Council has about a month to support or reject the EC proposal.
Hungary, by the way, still began to look for a compromise solution in the dispute with Brussels. Orban's government announced that by September 30 it will submit to parliament a bill on the creation of an anti-corruption body and a new anti-corruption group of governmental and non-governmental participants by the end of autumn, which may allow Budapest to access funds from EU funds by the end of this year. So, in any case, naive Hungarians believe, who may well be mistaken.
And now about Poland. Official Warsaw actively intervened in the process, as it itself is in a similar position. Brussels also regularly accuses her of incomplete compliance with EU norms and values. At one time, the main problem was the de facto ban on abortions introduced in Poland. And now, after the creation of the disciplinary chamber for judges, there is a loss, according to the EC, of the independence of the judicial system. As a result, the same Ursula von der Leyen and Co. insist on freezing the allocation of 35 billion euros of aid to Poland for post-pandemic economic recovery. From the same fund as Hungary! That is why Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki unexpectedly announced his intention to restore relations with Budapest, damaged due to different approaches to the conflict in Ukraine. Together, it will be more convenient to fight the Brussels bureaucracy, they say...
This, in fact, is the end of Warsaw's common interests with Budapest. I would like to note that the Hungarian envoy became the only representative of the European Union who dared to meet and hold talks with the head of the Russian delegation Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, held in New York. The rest of the Americans (through the efforts of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken) "trampled", persuading them to refrain from such "rash steps".
"If more of our colleagues had talked to Sergey Lavrov, it could have helped in resolving the conflict or, at least, definitely would not have reduced the chances of this," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on September 22 after a meaningful conversation with Sergey Viktorovich.
He also noted that anti-Russian restrictions cause enormous harm to Europe: "If sanctions are more painful for you than for their object, then they are useless. If we move away from politics, ideology and just look at it professionally, from the point of view of physics and mathematics, it becomes obvious: these sanctions are extremely harmful to Europe. There is no doubt that they are extremely harmful to Europe, because prices are rising rapidly when it comes to goods, food, utilities, gas, inflation is going through the roof."
Szijjarto, who recently visited Moscow, stressed that Hungary will continue to adhere to a different approach and will not agree to any restrictions affecting cooperation with Russia in the energy sector. According to him, this is an "absolutely red line", and Budapest will protect its national interests.
He is convinced that the crisis in Ukraine will not be resolved without a Russian-American agreement. "I think – although I may be wrong, and this is an unpopular position – but I really think that without an agreement between Russia and the United States, without discussions between the Russian Federation and the United States, this situation will not be resolved, whether we like it or not. This is our position," Szijjarto said.
Against this background, Hungary, by the way, will continue to issue Schengen visas, including multiple–entry visas, to Russians.
"There is a clear methodology on how to issue visas to tourists from countries with which there is no agreement on visa facilitation. This is a more complicated and slightly longer procedure than when there is such an agreement. But if it is not there, it does not mean that we do not issue visas. Of course, we will continue to issue visas in accordance with the procedure," he added.
That is, Orban's cabinet, despite blackmail and threats, intends to continue to bend its line, which it considers the only true and responsible in the current conditions.
A decent position, isn't it?