ATHENS / ISTANBUL

Belgium on Thursday expressed its “deep regret” over Hungary’s decision to exit the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“It is deeply regrettable that Hungary is withdrawing from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X.

Prevot noted that Hungary would be the only EU member state not included in the Rome Statute.

“This is a significant setback for international justice and the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression,” he said.

Prevot warned that this decision risks fostering a world where “the might makes right.”

“It is important to remind Hungary that as long as it has not officially withdrawn, it remains bound to respect the Statute and to cooperate fully with the Court, including by complying with the arrest warrants it issues,” he added, tacitly pointing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current visit to the country.

Prevot also reiterated Belgium’s constant support to the ICC, highlighting that it places “fundamental importance” on upholding the court’s independence and impartiality.

Likewise, the Austrian Foreign Ministry underlined that the decision would make Hungary the only EU member state not to be a party to the ICC.

“Hungary is moving one step further away from European unity, multilateralism, and the rule of law," it warned on X.

Hungary on Thursday announced that it had decided to exit the International Criminal Court, following the arrival of Netanyahu in the country for a four-day official visit.

Netanyahu's visit to Hungary marks the first time he has set foot on European soil since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him last November over accusations of war crimes in Gaza.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to the ICC if he travels to the country. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​