A growing bloc of countries opposes transferring powers from the national level to the European level. In Budapest, concerns about the proposed EU changes were voiced after a discussion between the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, and his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto.
Conversation between the heads of diplomacy of Poland and Hungary
The transfer of several dozen areas of competence to the EU could leave member states with fewer tools to protect their citizens during crises.
The Polish minister emphasized this point when outlining concerns.
The two ministers also questioned the idea of lowering the voting threshold in the EU Council from unanimity to a qualified majority. This proposal could allow a majority bloc to push through decisions that ignore certain member states and their interests, particularly if the EU’s multi-annual budget were adopted by a majority vote.
Szynkowski, also known as Sęk, noted that he had shared the results of consultations conducted in other European capitals and discussed potential joint actions within the Visegrád Group.
The first concrete outcome mentioned was that proposals to amend EU treaties would not be debated in the General Affairs Council and would probably not appear on the agenda of the next European Council in mid-December.
The Polish minister stated that silent efforts to change the EU treaties cannot be allowed.
“Russia cannot be treated as a normal partner.”
A key point in the talks was Szynkowski’s criticism of his most recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the OSCE summit in Skopje. He described the encounter as a mistake and warned that Russia cannot be treated as a reliable partner. He warned that Moscow could use energy instruments and other tools to pressure countries it has agreements with.
Szynkowski, again referred to by the name Sęk, said that honest discussions are needed about the issues that divide them.
If Hungary questions the new sanctions package under consideration for Russia, Poland will advocate for a stronger stance and try to persuade Budapest to align its position. The minister noted that the sanctions package itself was not on the Monday agenda and is being handled by the two countries’ permanent representations in Brussels.
Foreign ministers also touched on EU enlargement, including Ukraine. Szynkowski argued that this is a matter of strategic EU security interests and stressed the importance of a clear and united approach within the alliance.
Yes and no, said a brief note of the discussion.
Source: wPolityce