Foreign ministers from Belgium, Ireland, and Luxembourg publicly criticised Hungary, questioning whether Prime Minister Viktor Orbán‘s ultra-nationalist government properly respects European Union values. Luxembourg’s Xavier Bettel, Belgium’s Hadja Lahbib, and Ireland’s Jennifer Carroll McNeill participated in the Informal Meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Budapest on September 2-3.
Several EU countries have downgraded their representation level at meetings Hungary organised during its EU presidency. Last week, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell moved a meeting of EU foreign ministers from Budapest to Brussels.
“While we have fundamental policy differences with Hungary, I decided to come to Budapest and participate in the informal #GAC organised by the Hungarian Presidency precisely in order to be able to address these differences directly with my Hungarian counterpart,” Luxembourg’s FAM posted on X.
Orbán’s relations with Moscow
Shortly after Hungary took up the EU’s rotating presidency in July, the Hungarian PM made a surprise visit to Moscow to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Outraged by the trip, several of the Hungarian leader’s EU counterparts clarified that they were displeased and insisted that Orbán’s visit did not represent the EU.
On Tuesday, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister’s remarks in Budapest typified the continuing exasperation. He declared his intention of asking his “colleague” János Bóka, the Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, “if tomorrow he plans a trip to Moscow because this seems to be a habit for Hungarian politicians.”
“The international context, and particularly Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, calls for European unity. The Hungarian Presidency must bring the 27 together and build bridges. The aid funds for Ukraine agreed under the Belgian Presidency must be released,” Belgian FM Lahbib, nominated as candidate Commissioner for Belgium, posted on X.
LGBTQ+ rights and public media control
In addition to strengthening its ties with Russia, the Orbán government in Budapest has distanced itself from its EU allies by openly opposing migrants and LGBTQ+ rights and attempting to control public media. Due to these and other concerns about Hungary’s commitment to democratic principles, the EU has frozen millions of euros in funds. The three ministers emphasised that they had met with Hungarian media, civil society, and LGBTQ+ representatives before the meeting on Tuesday, which Bóka chaired.
The ministers spoke directly and candidly to a Hungarian TV camera crew, which is unusual and embarrassing for Hungary because, according to EU standards, member states rarely criticise each other publicly. Irish FM Carroll McNeill told reporters that human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law are extremely important for Ireland.
