Rule of law is not a clear-cut and concrete norm that could be applied in everyday life because it is impossible to clearly define when a violation is committed, which then has to be sanctioned, she said.

Clear norms and definitions are required for a system to be able to function, the minister added.

The conclusions approved by the EU summit on July 21 made it clear that a system of sanctions cannot be based on such difficult-to-define notions, she said.

Hungary has always maintained the position that Article 7 procedures are only justified if the state concerned neglects the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Varga said.

“Hungary, however, has always obeyed these rulings,” she added.

Varga also said that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had promised at the Brussels summit that she would make every effort to have the Article 7 procedure against Hungary concluded.

“If she gives her word, that’s enough for us,” she said. “However, Merkel alone cannot get the procedure concluded,” she added.