Hungary, Poland committed to cooperation in budget veto, says FM Szijjártó

Hungary and Poland are committed to cooperation in a planned veto of the European Union’s multiannual budget and coronavirus recovery package, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday.

Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Szijjártó said the two countries would “not bow to any intentions trying to drive a wedge” between them.

Hungary and Poland have called for further talks to find a solution that all countries can accept. As both countries are committed to the rule of law, an agreement is still possible, Szijjártó said.

Referring to the proposal to tie EU funds and its recovery package to adhering to rule of law regulations, Szijjártó said concepts “that have nothing to do with each other should not be tied together”.

The European Council has already achieved an agreement on its 2021-2027 budget at a July summit, Szijjártó noted. However, the European Parliament’s later decision runs afoul of that agreement, he said.