"An issue like the oil embargo, which Hungary talked about in the most sincere and transparent way from the outset, cannot be discussed in such a peremptory and exclusionary tone," said Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga in Brussels this morning in response to the statement of German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck. Mr Habeck had said that Germany would support the imposition of a ban on Russian oil by EU member states excluding Hungary.

On 3 April, Hungarian voters decided to support the Hungarian government’s European policy. The election results came in response to the Article 7 procedure and all other issues of the rule of law, as the voters are aware that the actions of the national-conservative government are taken for the benefit of Hungarians, Hungarian Minister of Justice Judit Varga said on Monday morning in Brussels.

In a statement to the Hungarian press, the MoJ said, „The Article 7 procedure is becoming a burden for those who launched it. The process has long gone beyond an analysis of each other’s legal systems: it is a tool to exert political pressure by the left-wing European Parliament.

Political questions can only be answered with political responses,”

she said, adding that after 12 years at the helm, the government again received a vote of confidence, this time of historic proportions.

She stressed that „it should also be noted that the child protection referendum was supported by even more people than those voting for the ruling parties, as more than 3.6 million citizens voted for the protection of children.”

She added that Monday’s hearing on the rule of law situation in Hungary, held as part of the Article 7 procedure,

“is not appropriate in a situation when there is a war next door and Hungary is providing the biggest [humanitarian] assistance in its history, but we are ready to answer all questions in the spirit of cooperation.”

Regarding German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck’s remark on Monday, saying Germany would be willing to support a ban on Russian oil by EU member states without Hungary, Ms Varga responded „unfortunately, there are – mostly leftist, liberal – politicians whose European political approach lacks the European values of cooperation based on mutual respect and a culture of consensus.”

„An issue like the oil embargo, which Hungary talked about in the most sincere and transparent way from the outset, cannot be discussed in such a peremptory and exclusionary tone,”

she pointed out, adding that „scientific laws” should prevail on this issue.

„Hungary does not have seas, but its energy supply must be guaranteed, so we are waiting for proposals for solutions first, and only then can we move on to proposals for sanctions. Decisions must be made taking into account the interests of all member countries,” she emphasized.

Referring to the Versailles declaration adopted by EU leaders in early March, she said that sanctions on Russian energy can only be brought forward if each country’s national circumstances and right to its own energy mix are respected.

She stressed that the Hungarian government is in on going discussions with the European Commission. The oil embargo and phasing out Russian fossil fuels must be considered not only in the short term, but also in the medium and long term, she concluded.