Austrian Europe minister criticizes EU Parliament in dispute over Hungary's presidency of bloc in 2024

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) — Austria's Europe minister on Tuesday criticized a planned EU Parliament resolution on Hungary's eligibility to hold the EU presidency in 2024.

It is "not expedient to deny a country the EU presidency," said Karoline Edtstadler of the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) ahead of a meeting with her EU counterparts in Brussels, public broadcaster ORF reported.

The EU Parliament resolution casts doubt on Hungary's eligibility, with parliamentarians accusing Budapest of rule of law violations.

"The rule of law is something where there can be no compromise. But we have to deal with it objectively and see where there has been progress," Edtstadler said.

"I see it as an opportunity if Hungary has to put European interests first during the presidency and prepare accordingly. We have clear rules: There is nothing in the EU Treaty to deny a presidency," the minister added.

Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga called the discussion "complete nonsense" in Brussels on Tuesday.

It is "political pressure from the European Parliament, which does not respect European values, democracy and the rule of law," said Varga.

The EU Parliament, she added, "plays no role here. EU law determines the order of presidencies."

Edtstadler further stressed that Hungary, with almost 20 years of EU experience, is well equipped to hold the presidency.