Meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday 16 October, the EU ministers of European affairs approved the way of proceeding that was proposed to them by the Austrian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers regarding assessment of respect for the rule of law in Hungary (see EUROPE 12114) – respectively asking Hungary and the European Commission to take a written position in response to the European Parliament's vote of 13 September on the so-called Article 7 procedure (see EUROPE 12094), and specifically to the Commission to make an inventory of all the infringement proceedings open against Budapest.
These are numerous, if account is taken of those on foreign NGOs, the Central European University and the laws in connection with asylum and immigration.
No delegation, nor the Commission, asked for, or announced, a precise timetable, however – but European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said he was available to present this assessment as quickly as possible.
The discussion lasted around half an hour and it was notably an issue of giving a role to the European Parliament, which launched this procedure. Several delegations thus questioned this role, with some wanting the Parliament not to be invited to take a position before the Council of the EU, and others wanting an arrangement to be found.
However, as regards Hungary, it is not yet a case of organising possible hearings. The ministers will take stock at a new Council on 12 November.
Next week, the member state ambassadors will decide on the agenda of the next General Affairs Council. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)