According to European Affairs Minister János Bóka, Hungary will comply with a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) verdict that ruled its refugee limitations unlawful but would not pay the heavy penalty.
In June, the ECJ found Hungary guilty of making refugee applications practically difficult, calling the conduct “unprecedented and exceptionally serious.” Hungary was fined €200 million and €1 million each day for the infraction.
Despite repeated warnings, Hungary rejected European Commission requests to fix the situation. Brussels has initiated a process to remove €200 million straight from Hungary’s EU funding, which are partially blocked owing to worries about its democratic practices.
Minister Bóka said, “The Commission has other ways to retrieve this money.” Hungary will not pay the punishment willingly. However, he offered “constructive” conversations with Brussels to comply with the ECJ ruling.
Hungary must erase all EU asylum law violations to comply with the verdict. Bóka said he was working with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson to abolish the limits on a schedule.
Hungary has spent an estimated €2 billion on border control since 2015 and is trying to offset the punishment, but Brussels has rejected any compensation applications.
Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said the Commission will do everything possible to reclaim the court-ordered money. The EU has requested €93 million in fines for Hungary’s noncompliance, and more are coming.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called the judgment “outrageous and unacceptable” and increased his anti-EU rhetoric. However, Bóka’s recent words imply Hungary may try to address the situation before financial penalties escalate.
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