Dresden/Brussels (dpa/sn) - Saxony's Europe Minister Katja Meier supports the decision of the EU states to freeze billions in payments for Hungary. It strengthens the European Union that the member states stand together in defense of the rule of law, said the Green politician on Tuesday.
"Anyone who, like Viktor Orbán, disregards and undermines European values cannot count on the financial solidarity of the other member states. Now it is up to Orbán to end the dismantling of democracy and corruption and to respect the common rules and values," said Meier.
Late on Monday evening, a large majority of EU countries had agreed in principle to freeze payments from the European Community budget earmarked for Hungary. Due to concerns that funds will be misappropriated in Hungary due to insufficient fight against corruption, 6.3 billion euros are to be blocked for the time being. Originally, the EU Commission had proposed to withhold 7.5 billion euros.
