Latest news with #EUcountries
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Ireland and 16 other EU countries sound alarm over Hungary's gay pride ban
Ireland has accused Hungary of contravening fundamental EU values by passing laws that target LGBTQ+ people, as tensions deepen between Budapest and a majority of member states. Hungary's parliament passed legislation in March that creates a legal basis to ban Pride marches there and lets police use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. It also approved constitutional changes in April stipulating that Hungary recognises only two sexes, male and female. Advertisement "We are highly alarmed by these developments which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights," Ireland and the governments of 16 other EU countries said in a joint statement. They called on Hungary to revise the measures and asked the European Commission to make full use of its powers if Budapest does not do so. The Commission can take legal action against member states if it believes they are violating EU law. The statement was backed by Ireland, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The declaration came ahead of a hearing on Tuesday in a long-running process where EU ministers examine concerns that Hungary is at risk of breaching core EU values. Advertisement The process could in theory lead to Hungary being stripped of its right to vote on EU decisions. But diplomats say there is not sufficient support among the 27 EU member states to take that step. Arriving at the meeting, Hungary's minister for European Union affairs Janos Boka said: "There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban". "I hope that after these discussions my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation," he said. But activists say the measures amount to a de-facto ban. Advertisement Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has said Pride organisers "should not even bother" this year, while his chief of staff Gergely Gulyas has said Hungary "does not have to tolerate Pride marching through downtown Budapest". Orban, who has been in power since 2010, has repeatedly clashed with the EU and its member countries over democratic standards, minority rights and foreign policy. Critics have accused Orban of undermining the rule of law, which the Hungarian government denies. Ireland Viktor Orban criticises Taoiseach over Hungary com... Read More His ruling Fidesz party has said the Pride march could be considered harmful to children and that protecting them would supersede the right to assemble. European Commissioner Michael McGrath, who oversees democracy, justice and rule of law issues, said on Tuesday there were serious concerns about the situation in Hungary. "Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right," he told reporters. "It is not a threat to children. It's not a threat to anyone, and it must be protected and upheld at all times, and so the Commission is examining all of its options," he said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU countries agree on big defence fund, diplomat says
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU countries have in principle agreed on the proposals for a 150 billion euro ($168.3 billion) fund aimed at boosting Europe's defence, known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), an EU diplomat said on Monday. The plan, proposed by the European Commission in March, will be financed through joint borrowing and give loans to EU members and certain other countries such as Ukraine for projects that bolster their defences and boost Europe's arms industry. ($1 = 0.8913 euros)
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
EU countries agree on big defence fund, diplomat says
BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuters) - EU countries have in principle agreed on the proposals for a 150 billion euro ($168.3 billion) fund aimed at boosting Europe's defence, known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), an EU diplomat said on Monday. The plan, proposed by the European Commission in March, will be financed through joint borrowing and give loans to EU members and certain other countries such as Ukraine for projects that bolster their defences and boost Europe's arms industry. ($1 = 0.8913 euros)
