EU ministers criticize Hungary for disrespecting bloc values

On Tuesday, senior ministers from Ireland, Luxembourg, and Belgium publicly criticized Hungary for its perceived lack of respect for European Union values. This criticism comes as Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the EU, a position it assumed in July. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's recent trip to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin has raised eyebrows among EU leaders, who feel he does not represent their interests. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel highlighted this concern, questioning whether further trips to Moscow would be on the agenda for Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government has faced backlash for its stance on various issues, including its treatment of migrants and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as its control over public media. These actions have led to the freezing of millions of euros in EU funds due to fears of democratic backsliding. Ahead of the meeting, the ministers engaged with Hungarian media, civil society, and LGBTQ+ representatives, emphasizing the importance of human rights and the rule of law. During the meeting, the ministers made their statements directly to a Hungarian TV camera, marking a rare public display of criticism among EU member states. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib urged Hungary to adopt a more ambitious presidency that fosters unity among the 27 EU member states. She also called for Hungary to lift its veto on EU funds intended for military support to Ukraine. The ongoing tensions have led some EU countries to send lower-level officials to meetings hosted by Hungary, reflecting their discontent. The situation has escalated to the point where EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell relocated a gathering of foreign ministers from Budapest to Brussels, indicating a significant rift within the bloc as Hungary's presidency nears its conclusion on December 31.