On Monday evening, the National Assembly began the discussion of the legislative proposals created in order to reach an agreement with the European Commission. Justice Minister Judit Varga stated in her presentation: if the government fulfills the commitments it has made, then the conditionality procedure can be concluded before the end of the year and Hungary can move into the year 2023 without any loss of resources.

The Minister of Justice said that on September 18, a months-long, difficult, but extremely constructive consultation process between the Hungarian government and the European Commission was concluded. The committee found that the 17 proposed measures submitted by the cabinet will adequately address the concerns that led to the initiation of the conditionality procedure.

In the professional dialogue, the government took part in the spirit of mutual respect and loyal cooperation, with the intention of reaching an agreement, he declared.

The cabinet was guided by the fact that, on the one hand, Hungary and the Hungarian people must have access to the resources they are entitled to, and on the other hand, it does not give way from those corner points and does not make unprincipled compromises on the issues that the Hungarian people voted on in the April election and referendum, as well as in the previous national they have already taken a firm stand during consultations - stated Judit Varga.

These aspects have been fully implemented, he emphasized, adding: they continue to protect children, reject illegal migration and resist any ill-considered and unreasonable sanctions policy, which mainly affects Europe and not those against whom the sanctions were imposed.

The decision of the college of commissioners on September 18 paves the way for a quick conclusion of the negotiations related to the reconstruction fund and cohesion resources, the politician argued. If the government fulfills the commitments it has made, then the conditionality procedure can be completed before the end of the year and Hungary can move into the year 2023 without any loss of resources, he pointed out.

Hungary is committed to the core values ​​of the EU and to the protection of the financial interests of the union, but it is no secret that the cabinet has serious legal reservations about the procedure and the regulation governing it, said the politician. The government also has serious legal concerns with the way the commission applies the decree and the way it acted exclusively against Hungary for "obvious political considerations", he added.

According to the minister's words, the procedure initiated against Hungary is a trial and test procedure for all member states, because if not by its initiation, by its conclusion it can become an example of constructive dialogue, a symbol of the European idea of ​​"Unity in Diversity" and true solidarity.

The aim of the measures taken by the Hungarian government is to reinforce the public procurement rules with additional guarantees, to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks for the fight against fraud and corruption, as well as the conflict of interest rules, he listed.

In the proposal package, they undertake to adopt 90 percent of the legislation initiated and promulgated by the government after social consultation - he explained the parts. Every year, the Government Audit Office (KEHI) publishes a public report on whether the social consultation of draft legislation has taken place, or whether the lack of consultation resulted from one of the cases permitted by law, said Judit Varga.

The legislative package introduces the possibility of determining compensation for the disproportionate use of labor resources as part of data requests in the public interest. The proposal also includes measures to eliminate the special rules governing data requests in the public interest, applicable in emergency situations, he pointed out.

He highlighted the establishment of the Integrity Authority, which is scheduled to start operating in the second half of November. The president of the authority is appointed by the President of the Republic on the basis of an open tender on the recommendation of the President of the State Audit Office - he explained the details.

The Anti-Corruption Working Group will be renewed, chaired by the President of the Integrity Authority. The working group will work on a parity basis, with members from the governmental and non-governmental spheres, the minister said.

He also mentioned that a special procedure will be introduced in the case of special crimes committed in connection with the exercise of public authority and the management of public property. The procedure would enable a judicial review of the decisions of the prosecutor's office and the investigative authority to reject the report or terminate the criminal proceedings, he emphasized.

In the case of the general conflict of interest rules of public interest trust foundations performing a public task, full compliance with the EU budget regulation is ensured, he pointed out.

The legal package designates the National Tax and Customs Office to assist OLAF during on-site inspections in Hungary, Judit Varga pointed out.

Source: Magyar Hírlap

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