Justice minister: Epidemic poses 'unique challenge' to EU

The novel coronavirus outbreak has posed a unique challenge to the EU, where traditional solutions "have been proven to be inadequate", Justice Minister Judit Varga told MTI in reaction to a statement signed by 13 EU member states on measures adopted against the epidemic. It is legitimate that member states adopt extraordinary measures to protect their citizens, the statement said, but the signatories condemned certain emergency measures for posing a "risk of violations of the principles of rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights". In reaction, Varga said that Hungary "agreed fully" with the statement's call to "uphold the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights." She said it was regrettable that the "statement was not open for all member states to join."