EU Council President Charles Michel is skeptical of a German proposal to abolish the principle of unanimity in foreign policy decisions in the Union.

His experience shows that the influence in the world is greater when decisions are made unanimously by all EU members. "Before considering abolishing the consensus, one should first think about it," Michelle said in Brussels.

"I am careful," he said.

 The EU as a hostage

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mas opened the topic last week, saying that EU policy could not be "held hostage" by individual member states.

"We can no longer be held hostage by those who paralyze European foreign policy with their vetoes," Mass said.
Although he did not mention it directly, the criticism of Mass and other German diplomats these days is directed at Hungary, which has blocked a series of joint EU initiatives and decisions in recent months. First of all, Budapest opposed the joint statement on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, criticizing China for the events in Hong Kong, but also several other foreign policy initiatives. The government of Prime Minister Victor Orban nurtures close relations with Tel Aviv and Beijing and opposes any criticism of these EU countries.

 Waiver of sovereignty

Michel believes that the effectiveness of the EU institutions should be discussed in the Conference on the Future of Europe. The conclusions of the conference are expected next year.

In Hungary, Mas's proposal was expressly rejected by the Magyar Nemzet newspaper, which is considered close to Orban's government.

"(…) This is about Europe in the coming decades. The veto also raises the question of whether we want to live in Europe of sovereign member states or move in the direction of the United States of Europe; in the direction of a paper tiger, in which under the motto of the EU "Unity in Diversity" all diversity is lost.
"With the lifting of the veto, member states will voluntarily relinquish their remaining sovereignty," the Hungarian daily said.

Taken from Deutsche Welle

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Germany demands lifting of veto

"We can no longer be held hostage by those who paralyze European foreign policy with their vetoes," said Haiko Mas, Germany's foreign minister, accusing those who do so of undermining Europe's cohesion.

"That is why I say very openly: the veto must go - even if it means we can be outvoted."

Mas did not name anyone, but Hungary has recently blocked several joint EU statements. Angry over Budapest's stance, German Foreign Minister Miguel Berger called Hungary out on Twitter last week.

"Hungary has again blocked the EU statement on Hong Kong. It was about the Middle East three weeks ago. The common foreign and security policy cannot function on the basis of blockades. "We need a serious debate on how to manage grievances, including by qualified majority voting," Berger wrote.

Open statements are unusual because Germany has never been openly critical of another EU member state. Aware of its political and economic weight in the EU, Germany is usually very careful not to openly side with anyone.

In addition to blocking joint statements on Hong Kong and the Middle East, Hungary last month opposed ratification of a new trade and co-operation agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is trying to build closer ties with China and recently agreed to open a branch of a Chinese university in Budapest, despite opposition protests.

Taken from Deutsche Welle