The European Commission has warned Slovakia that it will take immediate legal action if the government pushes ahead with a proposed law requiring NGOs that receive funding from abroad to label themselves “organisations with foreign support”, writes Reuters.

“I was in Bratislava and I was very clear. If you follow the Hungarian example on the NGOs law, we will launch an infringement procedure (for violation of EU law) immediately, because already we have the decision of the court on the table, - said European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova ahead of the release of the EU’s annual rule of law report.

Hungary passed a similar law on foreign-funded NGOs in 2017, but repealed it in 2021 after the European Court of Justice ruled it illegal. The European Commission has been battling Hungary over rule of law issues and held back EU funds.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a statement after the EU’s annual rule of law report that he took note of its recommendations and relevant ministries would hold dialogue with the Commission. But he added the criticism was coming due to disagreements on foreign policy issues where the Commission seeks “obedience”.