German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has revealed that financial consequences may befall Hungary for refusing to obey a European court ruling ordering it to accept its own share of refugees arriving in Europe.
The remarks suggest a hardening of Germany’s line on the right-wing Hungarian government of Viktor Orban, who has been outspoken in his opposition to an agreement that each European Union country should agree to take in a quota of refugees.
“Anyone who rejects this solidarity must accept that this will not be without consequences, including for negotiations over future financial support,” Merkel said in the interview with Nordwest Zeitung published on Friday as reported by Reuters.
More than 1.5 million migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe since 2015, many fleeing war in the Middle East.
The EU’s highest court ruled on Sept. 6 that member states must take in a share of the refugees, dismissing complaints by Slovakia and Hungary and reigniting an east-west row that has shaken the Union’s cohesion.
Fiscal consequences resulting from financial aid withdrawal by EU could have adverse effects on Hungary’s economy as they have prospered on the back of large claims on EU cohesion and development funds.
Hungary has been allocated 25 billion euros ($30 billion) in European Structural and Investment funds via a range of programs over the period 2014-2020, according to the European Union website.