Orbán fügt sich der EU

7.1.2011 – Ungarns Regierungschef Viktor Orbán hat dem EU-Kommissionspräsident José Manuel Barroso heute zugesagt, Änderungen am Mediengesetz vorzunehmen, wenn die EU dies für notwendig erachte. Er wolle Schaden von seinem Land abwenden, sagte Orbán, nachdem das neue Gesetz international heftig kritisiert worden war.

Orbán betonte, dass „negative Debatten nicht die EU-Ratspräsidentschaft“ seines Landes beeinflussen sollen. „Hier sind wir ganz schlecht aufgestellt“, fügte er mit Blick auf den internationalen Protest hinzu. Entgegen seiner gestriger Äußerungen bekräftigte der Regierungschef heute in einer Pressekonferenz, er sei sich sicher, dass die EU Ungarn nicht diskriminieren werde. Auch die Zusammensetzung der vielfach kritisierten Medienaufsichtsbehörde könne verändert werden. Er wolle aus dem Thema Mediengesetz keinen Streitpunkt mehr machen.

Die EU-Spitze traf sich heute Vormittag mit der ungarischen Regierung in Budapest, um den Fahrplan der sechsmonatigen EU-Präsidentsschaft abzustecken. Diese war von einigen EU-Parlamentariern bereits in Frage gestellt worden, nachdem das ungarische Parlament das als Zensur gescholtene Mediengesetz verabschiedet und die Regierung jegliche Änderung kategorisch ausgeschlossen hatte.

Welche Änderungen Orbán in die Tat umsetzen wird, ist indes unklar. Die oppositionellen Sozialisten fordern eine gänzliche Neufassung des Gesetzes, einzelne Korrekturen seien nicht ausreichend, sagte die Fraktionsvorsitzende der MSZP, Ildikó Lendvai. Vergangene Woche haben alle drei Oppositionsparteien im ungarischen Parlament Verfassungsklage gegen das Gesetz eingelegt.

.

Wortlaut José manuel Barroso in Budapest nach Redemanuskript, Auszug

…

A point we have discussed, apart from in the plenary meeting, in the bilateral meeting, a point we have discussed very openly is this issue of the media law.

Let me add a final comment on this.

And I know there is a lot of attention focused on this matter.

First of all, as I stated some days ago in Brussels, the principle of the freedom of the press is a sacred principle in the European Union and media pluralism is a fundamental part of the way we see our societies in Europe.

I have received assurances from the Prime Minister that the law is drawn up, and will be implemented, in full respect of European Unions values on media freedom and relevant EU legislation.

The Prime Minister equally made clear that adjustments would be made, should the Commission, after a legal assessment, find that this is not the case for all aspects of the law.

So we are going to make our legal assessment, in full objectivity, in fact I asked the Prime Minister for the government to formally send as soon as possible the legislation because so far we have not yet received the formal notification of legislation. Of course we have already seen it but we have no yet formally received it.

As soon as we receive it we will start with our procedures in these matters on the legal aspect. But apart from the legal aspect there is also a political point here. And I really welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is ready to consider changing the law in case its implementation shows that some problems are there and that some concerns could be justified, now, after our very useful conversation.

I think this is very important because I think there are the legal issues where we have to of course be extremely strict but there are also the political perceptions and needs for Hungary to have the full backing of the member states and of the European institutions to make this presidency a success. I know how very much Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is committed to his country and to the external respect of his country.

I am myself fully confident in Hungary’s democracy and rule of law. This country is a democratic country. Hungary is a democratic country. Hungary has known in a not so distant past what totalitarian regimes are. Prime Minister Orbán himself was fighting against totalitarian regimes. This is a democratic country and I think its important that we have no doubts about it.

And I think it’s important also that the Prime Minister of this government take all the necessary steps for this to be clear in Hungary and outside Hungary.

And this is what I can tell you after the very good and rich consultations I just had with the Prime Minister. Once again I would like to thank you for that spirit of cooperation for a strong Europe.