Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna thinks that the European Union is close to suspending Hungary’s voting privileges in the EU Council because of its blocking of decisions concerning Russia.
Source: Tsahkna during an interview with a German newspaper Rheinische Post as reported by European Pravda
Details: Tsahkna highlighted the increasing acknowledgment throughout Europe of Russia being perceived as a threat and stressed the immediate necessity to "prepare ourselves," dismissing assertions about divisions among European nations.
"To be clear, division requires two major factions. In this case, Hungary represents a weak nation aligned with Putin’s group rather than being part of our European collective," he stressed.
The Estonian foreign minister additionally highlighted that Hungary presently possesses the capability to obstruct consensus decisions, which includes matters related to European foreign and security policies.
"However, Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union allows a member state to be deprived of its voting rights if its membership endangers the security of Europe and other members. This is exactly what [Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor] Orbán is doing," Tsahkna explained.
In his view, the likelihood of activating Article 7 is becoming increasingly imminent.
For reference: According to Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, a member state can have some of its rights suspended if it is determined to be persistently and severely violating the essential principles of the EU.
Background: On March 14th, the Financial Times reported Hungary’s decision not to renew a set of European Union sanctions against Russia has ignited more talks amongst member countries about possibly revoking Hungary’s right to vote on crucial EU matters.
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