Under the agreement between the two countries, the body distributing the funds should be appointed in a consensus between the two countries, the statement said.

Hungary “was ready to accept any of the seven applicants except for Ökotárs, a Soros organisation,” the ministry said.

Norway “insisted on” Ökotárs, excluding internationally acclaimed tenderers such as the Hungarian Red Cross, the statement said.

Norway is violating its commitments as a member in the European Economic Area, the ministry said. “Hungary states that Norway is indebted to Hungary for 77 billion forints [EUR 216.4m] in exchange for access to its markets,” the statement said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) slammed the government, saying Hungary had “lost out” on 77 billion forints.

Should the opposition win the election in 2022, the talks will be reopened, DK MEP Klára Dobrev said.