Any hindering of efforts by EU member states to combat the virus is “unacceptable”, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office said at his regular news conference on Thursday, referring to “a political attack against the Hungarian government at a time when cooperation is needed across the whole EU.”
Answering a question about criticism of the government’s virus response, Gergely Gulyás said that”Hungary is grateful for any help from the EU, but the community is not providing a substantial amount”.
Gulyás added that
There are lots of people in the EP and EU institutions who hate the [Hungarian] government, but we’re asking them to put their hobby aside and take Hungary off their agenda for now, when the whole of Europe is tied up with coronavirus protection efforts”
Meanwhile, he said Hungary is keeping its borders sealed under its own authority but in accordance with European Union regulations.
Gulyás said that leaders of the European Union will meet in a teleconference on Thursday to discuss efforts against the epidemic. He added that “Brussels’ plans are the least favourable for Hungary” because the EU had proposed making it easier for members to access funds, and Hungary has already tied up nearly all funds allocated to the country.
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The Hungarian government has proposed that equipment used for virus prevention should be imported duty-free from third countries, Gulyás said.
Featured photo by Zoltán Máthé/MTI