Hungary calls for greater transparency in EU funding of civil organisations

Hungary has called for increased transparency in the European Union’s funding of civil organisations, highlighting widespread misunderstandings about the role these groups play in democratic societies.

János Bóka, Hungary’s Minister responsible for European Union Affairs, made the remarks following a meeting of EU affairs ministers in Brussels on May 27, Caliber.Az reports, citing Hungarian media.

Hungary, alongside Slovakia, opposed a proposal put forward by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union aimed at strengthening democratic resilience across Europe. Bóka criticised the proposal for conflating the roles of constitutional institutions with civil organisations, and blurring the distinction between political parties and civil society actors within a democracy.

“We believe that democratic resilience is being misinterpreted by some European institutions and Member States,” Bóka said. He warned that instead of bolstering Member States’ democratic institutions, the concept is being used to justify external interference in national democratic processes.

Bóka also addressed Hungary’s ongoing scrutiny under Article 7 procedures at the Council of General Affairs, noting that the European Commission recently closed infringement cases related to the Central European University and the ‘Stop Soros’ legislative package. The Commission concluded that Hungary’s current legislation complies fully with EU law in these areas.

Regarding a separate infringement procedure initiated in 2020 concerning the transparency and support of civil organisations, Bóka confirmed that Hungary’s parliament adopted the relevant amendments in 2022. Since then, the Commission has not raised any further concerns. “We look forward to the swift conclusion of this procedure,” he added.

Looking ahead to the European Council summit at the end of June, Hungary supports discussions on the situation in the Western Balkans. “We hope EU leaders will send a positive message to the region, signalling that their future lies within the Union,” Bóka said.

Hungary also backs a Swedish proposal to prioritise cross-border organised crime as a security and rule of law challenge on the EU agenda. The Hungarian government sees the fight against organised crime, including groups facilitating illegal migration outside the EU’s external borders, as a key European responsibility.

By Aghakazim Guliyev