Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communication and Relations, said the Hungarian government's emergency measures taken against the coronavirus epidemic are in compliance with the country's constitution and European Union treaties.
Reacting on Twitter to a statement by the president of the European Commission, Kovács responded to Ursula von der Leyen’s calls for rapid and efficient action by national governments to secure public health, but added that those measures should not go against the EU’s fundamental principles and values. She also said the measures should be justified and proportionate, and their effect must have an end date.
Kovács said the Hungarian government is in “full agreement” with the EC president, adding that the Hungarian measures were “focused exclusively on the fight against the coronavirus epidemic”. He added that Hungary respects the values of the EU, such as the rule of law and the freedom of the media.
Meanwhile, EC spokesman Eric Mamer said the commission would evaluate new clauses in the Hungarian penal code concerning the spreading of rumors, stressing that the freedoms of expression and the media must be respected even in hard times.
A call center set up for advice on the coronavirus can be reached on +36-80-277-455 and +36-80-277-456 or by email koronavirus@bm.gov.hu