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From: TT
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Photo: Virginia Mayo / AP / T
Political Secretary of State Michael Roth is, in practice, Germany’s EU minister, playing a key role during the German presidency of the EU Council of Ministers this fall. Stock Photography.
Living up to responsibility, Germany urges EU countries in the east that they are blocking both a budget deal and new member negotiations.
But Poland wants a better offer.
Both Poland and Hungary oppose the preliminary agreement to ensure that EU funds do not go to those who misbehave in terms of the rule of law and democracy.
The two countries have been criticized for several years by the European Commission and the European Parliament in precisely these areas and continue to believe that this is an unfair witch hunt.
“Political blackmail is a very bad and irresponsible tactic of the European Parliament and some member states,” Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga told reporters in Budapest, according to the Politico Europe news site.
“There is no time to veto”
However, Hungary and Poland do not receive much support from the rest of the EU. Protests against the rule of law are currently blocking the entire long-term budget of the EU and the gigantic package of support for the crown agreed by the Heads of State and Government this summer.
– We must ensure that this money reaches those who need it, as soon as possible. There are no excuses to delay this further, says Germany’s EU Minister Michael Roth in an online statement ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with his colleagues from the rest of the EU.
– I call on everyone in the EU to now live up to their responsibilities. Now is not the time to veto. Our citizens have to pay dearly for a lockdown, says Roth.
New suggestions?
As chair of the Council of Ministers this fall, Germany is leading the negotiations to reach an agreement.
– Our goal is to continue to complete the negotiations as soon as possible, says Roth.
According to the Polish press, the Warsaw government awaits offers requiring greater unanimity in the EU circle before an investigation for misconduct can be launched.
– We are awaiting new proposals that are compatible with the EU treaty, says government spokesman Piotr Muller on Polish radio according to the Reuters news agency.
Dispute over enlargement
Another eastern country at the moment is Bulgaria, which refuses to approve the start of EU accession negotiations for neighboring North Macedonia.
The reason is a long-standing dispute over ethnicity and historical roots.
Here too Germany is calling for a quick fix.
– It is in the interest of the entire EU to start accession negotiations as soon as possible, says Michael Roth.
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