Arriving at the General Affairs Council meeting, Boka explained that, at Hungary’s initiative, the agenda will also include the transparency and adequacy of NGO financing.
He emphasized that the key question is whether the current legal and institutional framework ensures compliance in funding processes. Although the European Parliament Budgetary Control Committee is investigating this issue, it has only gained limited and selective access to contracts.
The European Court of Auditors is also preparing a report on NGO financing, but it will not cover all policy areas and member states,
he explained. Boka said
Hungary urges the Council to address the transparency of NGO financing and made two specific proposals to this effect: the Council should request full and unrestricted access to all the contracts and grant agreements signed between the European Commission and NGOs.
The second proposal is for the development of a transparency system that enables member states and European citizens to view these documents and conduct their own assessments.
Hungary expects European institutions—particularly the Commission—to apply the same transparency standards to their operations that they demand from member states,
he stressed.
The minister also noted that Hungary expects the General Affairs Council to continue prioritizing competitiveness in line with the expectations outlined in the Budapest Declaration. Moreover, it is important that the heads of state and government of the member states discuss the next seven-year budget framework before the European Commission submits its proposal package.
This discussion could take place at the earliest in March, while June would already be too late,"
the minister added.
Cover photo: Janos Boka, Hungary's Minister for European Union Affairs (Photo: AFP)
