Opvolgende voorzitterschappen blijven nauw samenwerken (en)

During the term of the Hungarian Presidency, the Secretaries of State representing the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian Presidency Trio will continue their excellent cooperation, announced the joint press conference by Eniko Gyori, Olivier Chastel and Diego López Garrido in Budapest. The three countries’ cooperation is setting a precedent in the EU.

Composed of Spain, Belgium and Hungary, the Presidency Trio started its work on 1 January 2010, on the first day of the Spanish Presidency. At the same time, this cooperation serving long term planning was launched much earlier. The Secretaries of State for European Affairs of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio have held regular meetings since 2008 and prepared a trio programme in 2009.

This cooperation is setting a precedent in the EU. On the one hand, this is the first trio to operate according to the new conditions of the Lisbon Treaty. On the other hand, this is the first time for trio members to demonstrate such regular and deep-going cooperation.

The meeting of Eniko Gyori, Hungarian State Minister for European Affairs with her Belgian and Spanish counterparts, Olivier Chastel and Diego López Garrido, respectively, is a part of this innovation. At the meeting the Secretaries of State overviewed the agenda of the 14 January informal meeting of EU Ministers and Secretaries of State and looked at ways to continue their trio cooperation during the Hungarian Presidency.

Eniko Gyori gave her counterparts an account of the 7 January 2011 joint session of the Hungarian Government and the European Commission, and invited them to attend the presentation of the Presidency’s programme. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will present the European Parliament the Presidency’s specific plans on 19 January.

Speaking of the Hungarian Presidency’s economic policy priorities at the post-meeting press conference, Gyori explained that the Hungarian Presidency wished to complete the process started by the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies. “The European Union’s economy is in a poor condition. We should do our best, and we have a great chance for that, to reinforce the EU’s economic dimension and to create a real economic union by the end of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio” - the Minister of State said.

Diego López Garrido also stressed that a common European economy should become reality during the Hungarian Presidency. “In our view, it is highly important for Hungary to build a really strong Europe, and we will support it” - the Secretary of State said.

López Garrido thanked the Hungarian Presidency for the opportunity to address the press conference in his native language and stressed the importance of protecting European diversity, which the Hungarian Presidency views a major goal.

Olivier Chastel, the Belgian Secretary of State for EU Affairs, spoke highly of the Hungarian Presidency’s programme and the institution of the Trio Presidency. He stressed that the three Presidency’s successes are merged and shared by the three respective countries.

Composed of Spain, Belgium and Hungary, the Presidency Trio started its work on 1 January 2010, on the first day of the Spanish Presidency. At the same time, this cooperation serving long term planning was launched much earlier. The Secretaries of State for European Affairs of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio have held regular meetings since 2008 and prepared a trio programme in 2009.

This cooperation is setting a precedent in the EU. On the one hand, this is the first trio to operate according to the new conditions of the Lisbon Treaty. On the other hand, this is the first time for trio members to demonstrate such regular and deep-going cooperation.

The meeting of Eniko Gyori, Hungarian State Minister for European Affairs with her Belgian and Spanish counterparts, Olivier Chastel and Diego López Garrido, respectively, is a part of this innovation. At the meeting the Secretaries of State overviewed the agenda of the 14 January informal meeting of EU Ministers and Secretaries of State and looked at ways to continue their trio cooperation during the Hungarian Presidency.

Eniko Gyori gave her counterparts an account of the 7 January 2011 joint session of the Hungarian Government and the European Commission, and invited them to attend the presentation of the Presidency’s programme. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will present the European Parliament the Presidency’s specific plans on 19 January.

Speaking of the Hungarian Presidency’s economic policy priorities at the post-meeting press conference, Gyori explained that the Hungarian Presidency wished to complete the process started by the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies. “The European Union’s economy is in a poor condition. We should do our best, and we have a great chance for that, to reinforce the EU’s economic dimension and to create a real economic union by the end of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio” - the Minister of State said.

Diego López Garrido also stressed that a common European economy should become reality during the Hungarian Presidency. “In our view, it is highly important for Hungary to build a really strong Europe, and we will support it” - the Secretary of State said.

López Garrido thanked the Hungarian Presidency for the opportunity to address the press conference in his native language and stressed the importance of protecting European diversity, which the Hungarian Presidency views a major goal.

Olivier Chastel, the Belgian Secretary of State for EU Affairs, spoke highly of the Hungarian Presidency’s programme and the institution of the Trio Presidency. He stressed that the three Presidency’s successes are merged and shared by the three respective countries.