Hungary Proposes Joint Asbestos Investigation with Austria Amid Contamination Scandal

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has proposed joint investigations with Austria into an asbestos contamination scandal affecting western Hungary. The issue arose after contaminated gravel originating from Austria's Burgenland region was discovered, leading to extreme asbestos levels in numerous Hungarian communities.

“

We can conduct these investigations ourselves and turn to the European Union or other bodies, but I would still like to give the whole thing a chance so that we can tackle this together.

Magyar stated that while Hungary could conduct its own investigations or involve the European Union, he wished to "give a chance" for a collaborative approach with Austria. However, he firmly asserted a fundamental principle: any country that transports environmentally harmful material to another must take it back. "If we cannot reach a quick agreement with the Austrian side, this waste must be stored in a special waste landfill in Hungary and later transported away from there, which entails enormous costs," Magyar explained.

“

The basic rule is, whoever brought environmentally harmful material into another country must take it back.

He further elaborated on the financial implications, suggesting that if he were responsible for the damage, he would not want to pay twice or thrice, but the Hungarian government would certainly take measures. This stance underscores Hungary's demand for accountability and remediation from Austria.

“

If we cannot reach a quick agreement with the Austrian side, this waste must be stored in a special waste landfill in Hungary and later transported away from there, which entails enormous costs.

This proposal follows an agreement reached in late May during Magyar's visit to Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP). A working group was established at that time to address the issue. Previously, four gravel pits in Burgenland were officially closed in January due to asbestos contamination. Elevated asbestos levels were also detected in parts of Austria, including Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Styria. Environmental organization Greenpeace estimates the material damage from the asbestos findings in Burgenland alone to be at least 1.6 billion euros, with disposal costs accounting for roughly three-quarters of that amount.

“

If I were the one responsible for the damage, I would not want to pay twice or thrice, but in any case, the Hungarian government will take measures.