Hungary s justice min responds to commissioner s "serious concerns"

Budapest, December 17 (MTI) - In response to the European Union s justice commissioner s "serious concerns" over Hungary s justice law, the justice minister said in a letter sent on Friday that the law should be weighed up in terms of how it works in practice.

"I am convinced that all the issues you raised will be answered satisfactorily," wrote Tibor Navracsics.

Viviane Reding, vice-president of the European Commission and commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, requested in a letter dated December 12 that the justice minister respond to concerns, by December 16, over the retirement age of judges and the independence of data ombudsman.

"[T]he European Commission has been conducting a review of the new Hungarian Constitution in order to check that it is consistent with EU law, in particular the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and with the letter and spirit of the Treaties," she wrote.

"[A] precise view on the interaction of the Constitution with EU law and its legal effects can only be fully evaluated by taking into account the implementing legislative, administrative and judicial practice based on it," she added.