The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates that the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe welcomes the fact that the new Hungarian Constitution establishes a constitutional order based on democracy, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights as underlying principles.

We especially welcome that in the analysis of Article D, the Venice Commission emphasises: the Hungarian authorities have formally confirmed that this provision does not serve as a basis for extra-territorial decision-making. We do confirm this interpretation once again, as we have done so several times before.

With regard to Article D, in the light of the considerations above, we find the Slovakian Foreign Minister Mikulas Dzurinda’s statements that the Venice Commission calls on Hungary to modify its policy particularly incomprehensible and inexplicable. We do not see any reason to modify our policy, as it serves and will serve the strengthening of good-neighbourly relations in the future as well.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)