Activists from Fidelitas, the youth organization of the ruling Fidesz party mocked the EP delegation for the Brussels corruption scandal.Continue reading
On Wednesday, a delegation of the European Parliament’s Budgetary Control (CONT) committee concluded a fact-finding visit in Budapest. MEPs looked into the ongoing issues with the protection of the EU budget, according to a statement by the EP.
“We have spent three days in intense meetings with stakeholders responsible for the management, implementation, and control of the EU funds: representatives of the government, audit and tax bodies, members of the opposition, local and regional authorities, businesses, civil society, and the press,” Monika Hohlmeier, the head of the delegation announced at a press conference on Wednesday. “Our delegation and all our counterparts share the same view – EU funds represent a very big opportunity for the development of Hungary, and for the prosperity of Hungarian citizens,” the German EPP politician added.
How can we ensure that the EU money can reach Hungarian citizens, businesses, and regions, in a transparent, fair and impartial way?”,
Hohlmeier asked, referring to shortcomings identified during the visit. Among other things, the MEP claimed that “certain businesses” are subject to “intimidating visits by the secret police” – this accusation was ridiculed in the conservative media.
According to their official program, the delegation visited the Minister for Regional Development Tibor Navracsics, State Secretary for European Union affairs of the Ministry of Justice János Bóka, as well as the State Audit Office where they met its president, László Windisch. MEPs also met the President of the Directorate General for Audit of EU funds, Balázs Dencső, representatives of the National Tax and Customs Administration, as well as the president of the new Hungarian Integrity Authority, Ferenc Bíró. They visited parliament where they met chairs of the standing committees on Justice, Economics, European Affairs, and Budgets, as well as the Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony, and the Association of Hungarian Municipalities. Finally, members interacted with investigative journalists, the business community, representatives of civil society, and NGOs.
Minister Navracsics told journalists that the talks achieved a foothold in mutual understanding, and he was confident members of the committee had been convinced on several issues by the Hungarian side’s objective arguments, MTI reported.
The delegation was briefed on the ways in which Hungary intends to use EU funds, he said, adding that he sensed, however, that the delegation had not read background materials sent to them in advance. Also,
the political prejudices of many representatives were evident and factual mistakes were made when questions were put to him.
Justice Minister Judit Varga called the delegation’s visit
a politically motivated tourist visit.”
“The left-wing majority in the European Parliament still seems unable to accept that Hungary is engaged in forward-looking and constructive negotiations with the Commission. Our commitments are being met on time, the crucial justice package was recently adopted by the Parliament, and Brussels should pay the EU funds due to Hungary in the near future,” she pointed out on Facebook.
“We have been saying for a long time: it is time for the European Parliament to finally be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Unfortunately, there has been no movement on this since then,” Varga added.
Featured photo via the European Parliament
