Belgium, as a key diplomatic player, advises EU member states on promoting stability and shared responsibilities within the union, particularly due to its significant role in Brussels and its involvement with both national and international organizations.
A crucial question arises: how much financial support can Brussels muster to assist Hungary in meeting its obligations? The years between 1918 and 1945 were a period of immense upheaval for Hungary, leaving deep scars on its national consciousness. This historical context still resonates today. For example, during a presentation in Hong Kong, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the EU as being unfair, a statement that did not sit well with Brussels. This kind of rhetoric is unexpected from someone seeking a prominent role within the EU. In response, European Commissioner for External Relations and Enlargement, Hans van Mierlo, lodged a formal complaint with the Hungarian government.
Hungary’s troubled history with its Jewish population during World War II also remains a sensitive issue. During the war, around 11,000 Hungarian Jews were employed at a plant in Csepel, of whom 3,200 (30%) were killed. Laszlo Karsai later presented Paulus with a four-day list of people who had worked there in October 1944, highlighting the ongoing impact of these historical events.
The central question now is how Hungary will address its EU asylum obligations amid ongoing legal challenges. Despite a 2020 judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union, Hungary has yet to fully comply with its asylum obligations. This failure undermines the concept of European countries working together and sharing responsibilities equally. Deputy Editor Mátyás Kohán of Mandiner noted that while the Hungarian government anticipated an unfavourable ruling, the severity of the fine imposed was a shock.
Hungary criticizes current EU asylum practices, particularly the requirement that asylum seekers first enter EU territory before their applications are processed. This, Hungary argues, results in rejected asylum seekers remaining within the EU, complicating both the management of asylum applications and the repatriation process. Hungary views this as a significant issue, as it complicates the handling of individual asylum cases and their eventual return if they are denied the right to stay. In essence, Hungary finds the process of sending asylum seekers to Brussels challenging, viewing it as a symbolic move that underscores the need for a swift resolution of ongoing issues between Hungary and the European Commission.
