Talks with EC on EU funds for Hungary ‘forward looking’, says minister
The talks with the European Commission on the release of EU funds to Hungary are “forward looking” and member states are fully open to working out a solution, the justice minister said on Tuesday in Brussels, after the meeting of EU affairs ministers.
Speaking to Hungarian reporters, Judit Varga said that while the European Parliament “is putting political pressure on Hungary”, the EC and the member states are seeking a solution within the framework of the rule of law procedure.
Asked about criticism over “inadequate” amendment proposals submitted by the Hungarian government to alleviate concerns raised by Brussels, Varga said “it is a tradition of the Hungarian left not to represent Hungary’s interests abroad either”, adding that their representatives are unable to work in unity even in the interest of protecting Hungarian the people.
Regarding the principle that EU decisions should be unanimous, Varga said that, albeit the treaties do not mention the necessity of a veto, they focus on a culture of consensus. She said the veto was a “refuge for countries the size of Hungary to ensure they can represent their basic national interests.”
“The strength of European decision-making is in consensus. That is the key to decisions everyone can wholeheartedly back,” Varga said.
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Source: MTI
Consensus generally requires the following:
Collaboration: Proposals for consideration are constructed with input from all interested group members.
Inclusion: As many stakeholders as appropriate should be included in the group’s discussions.
Participation: All participants contribute to the discussion.
Agreement Seeking: The group makes a concerted attempt to reach a full agreement.
Cooperation: Decisions may incorporate individual concerns but are designed to benefit the whole group. INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES DO NOT OVERRIDE THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE GROUP.
I will throw dialogue into the mix – the focus on the observation and communication of what is happening in the group and within oneself when matters are expressed and views are conveyed. This mindset allows us to recognize our own assumptions without judgment and to question rather than defend them (isn’t the latter a novelty for our Politicians).
You may even have to … Compromise, every now and again?
From what I read in the media, I believe our Politicians are not shy about asking the Ukrainians to do all of the above “to end the war”. Practice what you preach would be great!