Index – Abroad – There is a plan for what the Hungarian government will do at the head of the European Union

On June 18, in the Várkert Bazaar, János Bóka, minister responsible for European Union affairs, and international spokesperson Zoltán Kovács presented the priorities of the Hungarian presidency of the European Union, which will begin on July 1.

János Bóka identified seven topics with which the Hungarian government would like to make progress as the president of the Council of the European Union (in short: council) consisting of ministers from the member states:

• new European competitiveness agreement;
• strengthening the European defense industry;
• strengthening the protection of external borders, managing migration;
• a merit-based, objective and balanced expansion policy;
• strategic debate on the future of cohesion policy;
• implementation of a farmer-centered agricultural policy;
• and the management of demographic challenges.

As the minister said, Hungary is taking over the presidency in an extraordinary situation due to the surrounding challenges of the EU – he cited the war in Ukraine or climate change as examples – and in addition, 2024 is also the year of transition, as it will take over after the European Parliament elections. the new leadership of the EU institutions.

The Belgians can hand over 120 files

He said that the consecutive presidency is an obligation, but the Hungarian government sees it as an opportunity. Currently, it is estimated that the government inherited more than 120 files from the previous Belgian presidency – of which 50 files are currently before the council, and 30 files are being negotiated between the EP and the council.

János Bóka also said that it is important for Hungary to adopt a European convention on artificial intelligence during the consecutive presidency, to expand the Schengen Convention allowing the free movement of persons and goods, and they also want to achieve that EU Roaming is extended to countries with candidate status also for countries.

János Bóka also said that, due to the year of the European Championships and the Olympics, the promotion of sports was also a goal, as well as the fight against anti-Semitism.

Hungary is looking for real solutions to Europe’s real problems

– said the minister, who added that, in his opinion, the success of the Hungarian presidency will be the success of Europe.

Zoltán Kovács, who is also responsible for the preparation and implementation of the operational tasks of the successive presidency as a government commissioner, said that during the successive presidency, EU information will be held, similar to the Government information. The government commissioner also said that the Hungarian government has been preparing to take over the presidency for two years.

Kovács explained in his presentation: Hungary will organize a total of 177 events as consecutive president, of which 16 will be informal ministerial meetings – most of them will take place in July and September.

The logo of the successive Hungarian presidency will be the Rubik’s Cube, and its slogan will be the Make Europe Great Againwhich János Bóka translated into Hungarian as Let’s make Europe great. According to him, the slogan describes the Hungarian government’s objectives well, as he believes that Hungary is preparing for an active and active presidency.

Zoltán Kovács said about the Rubik’s cube that it is one of the symbols of Hungarian innovation, in addition, according to him, the cube also expresses the fact that the EU consists of 27 member states, but they are able to reach a common denominator, while the will of the strong member states prevails.

(Cover photo: János Bóka on June 13, 2024. Photo: Róbert Hegedüs / MTI)

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