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EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell
Photo: POOL / REUTERS
The EU states want to adopt a declaration on the controversial electoral reform in Hong Kong without Hungary's approval if necessary.
The EU foreign ministers had decided to make a “last try” in order to still achieve unanimity within a week, said the EU foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell.
The EU actually wanted to adopt the declaration condemning China's electoral reform for Hong Kong on Monday.
Hungary was reportedly the only country to categorically oppose the project.
Critics see the blockade from Budapest as being due to the fact that Hungary has recently benefited greatly from Chinese investments.
The country officially justifies its rejection of the joint declaration with the fact that the EU does not have to react to every single development in China.
Borrell now stated that he still considered a joint statement with Hungary to be possible.
If this does not succeed, however, there is the possibility, which has already been used in the past, of adopting the declaration without Hungary.
But then it would not be an official EU declaration.
A unanimous decision would be necessary for this.
Maas: Hungary's attitude "incomprehensible"
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) criticized Hungary's stance as "incomprehensible".
It is important that the EU speak to China with one voice, said Maas.
It is now "not the first time that Hungary has broken out of this unity when it comes to the subject of China."
The reason is apparently the traditionally good relationship with Beijing.
For years, EU representatives have been concerned that China is trying to extend its influence to member states in Eastern and Southern Europe through economic projects.
Through its “New Silk Roads” initiative, Beijing offers countries like Hungary support with expensive infrastructure projects.
As the first EU government, Budapest also decided in February to use corona vaccines from China that have not yet been approved in Europe.
Hong Kong electoral reform secures control of Beijing
China's leadership finally passed the controversial electoral reform for Hong Kong at the end of March.
It gives Beijing control over the selection of candidates in parliamentary elections in Hong Kong and can exclude certain applicants.
From the point of view of critics, the reform is a blatant violation of Hong Kong's autonomy rights.
The relationship between the EU and China has deteriorated significantly in the past few weeks.
Beijing responded with counter-sanctions after EU punitive measures against party and regional representatives in Xinjiang Province for cracking down on the Muslim Uyghur minority.
The aim was to MEPs and European scientists.
Last week the EU put the ratification of the planned investment agreement with China on hold by the European Parliament.
fek / dpa / AFP