Brussels, 3 February 2023
See question(s) : P-003944/2022
EN
P-003944/2022
Answer given by Mr Hahn
on behalf of the European Commission
(3.2.2023)
1. On 30 November 2022, the Commission adopted a Communication1 to the Council on the remedial measures notified by Hungary under the Regulation on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the EU budget (Conditionality Regulation)2 for Hungary. The Commission found that, notwithstanding the steps taken, there was still a continued risk to the EU budget given the remaining concerns related to the incorrect or partial transposition of certain key horizontal and cross-cutting remedial measures. The above Communication already took into account measures announced by Hungary for adoption in early December 2022.
The Presidency of the Council requested the Commission to present an updated assessment of the remedial measures taken by Hungary, in view of a vote which took place in the Hungarian Parliament on 7 December 2022. The Presidency also requested the updated assessment to include justificatory elements on the principle of proportionality. On 9 December 2022, the Commission informed the Council of its updated assessment of the information and legal texts submitted by Hungary on 6, 7 and 8 December 2022. The Commission maintained its assessment, including on the proportionality of the proposed measures, and its proposal for a Council implementing Decision.
2. The Commission performed an objective analysis and confirmed its assessment of the conditions for the application of the Conditionality Regulation and of the risk for the EU budget. Based on the proposal of 18 September 2022, on 15 December 2022, the Council adopted measures to protect the EU budget from breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary3.
3. Finally, the Commission is bound to follow the procedure as set out in the Conditionality
Regulation and enforces the Regulation in an objective, impartial and fair manner. The aim of
the Regulation is not to impose sanctions but to protect the EU budget.
1 Communication from the Commission to the Council on the remedial measures notified by Hungary under Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 for the protection of the Union budget, COM(2022) 687 final.
2 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget, OJ L 433I , 22.12.2020, p. 1–10.
3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022D2506
Source: Answer to a written question – Sanctions against Hungary – P-003944/2022(ASW)