OPEN LETTER to Věra Jourová

OPEN LETTER

Věra Jourová

Vice President

European Commission

Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 2001049 Brussels

Dear Ms Jourová,

Under Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union, the members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond doubt. Furthermore, in carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission shall be completely independent.

However, during recent months we have experienced that your comments regarding Hungary often spread incorrect, and even misleading information, which fundamentally brings into question whether you are performing your work in line with the Article cited above, as a commissioner responsible for the values and transparency of the European Commission and its Vice President.

We consider it especially troubling that all signs point to the fact that you glean your information about the situation and opinion of Hungary’s civil sector, encompassing more than 60 000 registered organisations, from quite a biased source, a small number of NGOs who call themselves defenders of rights but are much rather politically motivated lobby organisations. The European Parliament also does so, especially its Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

We, on behalf of the Civil Összefogás Közhasznú Alapítvány [Civil Union Non-Profit Organisation] and the Civil Összefogás Fórum [Civil Union Forum], believe that you could gain a credible picture of the situation of civil society in Hungary if you had an opportunity to exchange ideas with civilians who are more sovereignist and nationalist in their views. Accordingly, we declare that our organisation and a number of other associations affiliated with us are ready to hold a dialogue with you, and all institutions of the European Union for that matter, in the interest of facilitating your work and promoting full compliance with the contents of the Treaty on European Union.

Budapest, 4 February 2021

Kind regards,

On behalf of the Civil Összefogás Közhasznú Alapítvány [Civil Union Non-Profit Organisation] and the Civil Összefogás Fórum [Civil Union Forum]

Dr. László Csizmadia, Dr. Izabella Bencze, Dr. Tamás Fricz, Dr. Zoltán Lomnici, Jr.

ANSWER

From: LADMANOVA Monika <Monika.LADMANOVA@ec.europa.eu>

Sent: Friday, February 5, 2021 7:03 PM

To: info@civilosszefogas.hu

Cc: TSOUGKRIANI Maria <Maria.TSOUGKRIANI@ec.europa.eu>

Subject: Acknowledgement of receipt

Dr László Csizmadia,

Dr. Bencze Izabella,

Tamás Dr Fricz,

Dr. Ifj.Dr Zoltán Lomnici

Dear Sir/Madam,

We acknowledge receipt of your letter of 04 February addressed to Vice-President Věra Jourová who asked me to reply on her behalf.

I would like to reassure you that the Vice-President personally as well as the Commission services are open and encourage regular dialogue with all European citizens and civil society organisations. We are committed to working with the civil society to make sure that all views and concerns are taken into account in our policies.

Kind regards,

Monika Ladmanova

Monika LADMANOVA

Advisor

European Commission

Cabinet of Vice-President Vera Jourova

Vice-President for Values and Transparency