Hungary and the European Commission (EC) have reached a technical agreement on the judicial reform package, which is key to unlocking EU funds, Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga said.
“This morning I had a constructive discussion with Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders. Technical negotiations on judicial commitments have been completed,” Varga wrote on Facebook. “We are now waiting for the decision of the College of Commissioners,” added Varga.
Hungary has technically reached an agreement with Brussels
The agreement may unlock EUR 13 billion, reports the Hungarian daily “Nepszava”.
There is caution in Brussels about the final decision on unlocking the funds, according to the newspaper’s sources. “It would not be the first time that the compromise worked out by experts was not approved in political negotiations in the European Commission” – noted the daily.
EC spokesman Christian Wigand said the talks were “going in the right direction” and that the Commission would review the progress made by the government in Budapest.
The reforms required by the European Commission concern, among others: increasing the powers of the National Council of the Judiciary and the independence of the Curia (supreme court).
In December, the European Commission adopted an agreement with Hungary that paves the way for €22 billion in cohesion policy for 2021-2027. However, withdrawals are subject to conditions. Under the Cohesion Fund, the government in Budapest is waiting to unlock EUR 6.3 billion, and under the National Recovery Plan – EUR 5.8 billion.
The reforms required by the European Commission concern, among others: increasing the powers of the National Council of the Judiciary and the independence of the Curia (supreme court).
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