Orbán presenteert plannen Hongaars voorzitterschap in Europees Parlement (en)

Hungary is performing the Presidency’s work with respect and humility to promote Europe’s big goals, said Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán i, at the European Parliament’s plenary session on 19 January 2011. Mr Orbán emphasised that the greatest danger facing Europe is the debt crisis, therefore the Hungarian Presidency’s programme will highlight job creation, economic growth, and security.

In his speech presenting the Hungarian Presidency’s programme at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, Viktor Orbán said that it is historic justice for Hungary to take on the European Council’s rotating presidency for the first time in its history. The Hungarian premiere took the view that “Hungaryhas shed the most blood for freedom and democracy”; since World War II in Europe, and was the first country to tear down the communist system and prove that “the Soviet system was a dangerous threat to western civilisation.” He continues, “We have done a great deal for Europe to be unified again,” stressed Mr Orbán, who believes that during its term of EU i Presidency, Hungary “also wants to serve the cause of unified Europe with the ideas and faith of the 1956 revolutionaries.”

The Hungarian Prime Minister drew a parallel between the challenges of twenty years ago and today. He concluded that Europe must find its place in a shifting world economy, which calls for strength. Mr Orbán warned that member states, including Hungary, can only be successful if the European Union is also strong. The greatest impeding factor and risk for the EU is severe indebtedness, explained the Hungarian politician. This can only be overcome through work. “We know this since Hungary has the lowest level of employment in the entire European Union,” added the head of government.

European mindset appreciating work

Mr Orbán reminded that all civilisation became successful through “a European mindset which appreciates work”, the commandment of prudent economic management that you must not spend more than you can produce, and you cannot shift the burden to future generations. Mr Orbán believes one of the main curses of European society today is that “debt repayment has become the reason of work.”

The Hungarian premiere stated that “everybody agrees on the diagnosis, but there is a great debate concerning the therapy.” He believes that there is no time to debate at length, and “unorthodox and novel therapies should not be refused.” There is a need for courage. This is what voters expect of European politicians. Therefore, the Hungarian Presidency’s programme is determined by the issues related to the economy and indebtedness.

Among the Presidency’s priorities, Mr Orbán listed first the creation of a permanent stability mechanism, the reinforcement of economic coordination for sustainable economic growth and job creation, and the European Semester aimed to better co-ordinate the structural reforms of member states.

Realistic economic goals

Mr Orbán asked for the Parliament’s help to speed the creation of the six-law package related to the new model of economic governance. Referring to the importance of cooperation, he stated that the Hungarian Presidency will be Parliament-friendly. He emphasised that Hungary will make the Presidency’s economic goals realistic both by ceasing to be “the shame of the European Union” and by joining the two member states which will lower ther budget deficit further this year.

In addition to economic crisis management and stability, Mr Orbán highlighted the reinforcement of the Single Market as a main source of a potential economic growth. He stated that the Hungarian Presidency wishes to expand the Single Market to include new areas such as the digital sector. He emphasised that small and medium-sized enterprises must fully benefit from the advantages of the Single Market.

European energy policy before a breakthrough

Hungary’s Prime Minister also talked about the role of energy policy and innovation. With regards to the energy and innovation summit, to be held on 4 February, he said that in Hungary’s view, it was crucial to remove the obstacles in energy market regulation, as well as to build cross-border infrastructure relations and diversified supply routes. According to Viktor Orbán “the European energy policy is now awaiting a breakthrough”, because agreements are in place to pave the way for the first North-South gas distribution system, connecting the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea through Romania.

„However smart, Europe should also have a heart”

„However smart, Europe should also have a heart” and provide opportunities for the social inclusion of its most under-privileged citizens, said the Hungarian premier when talking about the European Roma framework strategy. “We are all playing with fire” - Mr Orbán warned, stressing that “large Roma communities which have already settled, will switch to a nomadic lifestyle and start roaming throughout Europe”, if we fail to develop a joint strategic framework to tackle the Roma issue on an EU-level.

A return to the optimism of enlargement

Currently, there is a “fright of enlargement” in Europe, said Mr Orbán, but the Hungarian Presidency would like the optimism of enlargement to return. It is unfinished business, because not all countries that could be integrated into the European community are among the current members states, he stressed. In his view “it is unfair that Croatia, a country which recently performed better than for example Hungary, is refused entry” into the EU. The Hungarian Presidency would like to bring Croatia’s accession talks to conclusion, said Mr Orbán.

With regards to the Schengen i enlargement and the imminent accession of Romania and Bulgaria, Mr Orbán said „I know that these countries are well-prepared”. The Hungarian Presidency will do its utmost for Bulgaria and Romania to become members of the Schengen community “at the earliest possible date”.

Action on persecutions of Christians

As another subject of the Hungarian Presidency, Mr Orbán referred to the discussion of family policy and the demographic situation. “Without provoking inter-institutional debates”, Hungary also wishes to contribute to a clear-cut and firm position on the EU’s part regarding the freedom of religion and “to act on the persecutions of Christians”, the Hungarian premiere explained.

Media Act amendment not a matter of prestige

Finally, Mr Orbán asked MEPs not to confuse the current EU Presidency with Hungary’s internal affairs, whatever their opinions may be. “I am ready to fight”, said the Hungarian prime minister, warning that if the distinction was not made, it would harm the whole of the EU, rather than just Hungary. Mr Orbán mentioned that this would be in the spirit of his agreement with José Manuel Barroso i, President of the Commission, that if any provision in the Hungarian Media Act failed to withstand the test of EU law, Hungary would be ready to amend it. “This is not a matter of prestige, this is not arm-wrestling”, he added.

“We have to see beyond the dossiers that are piled up on our desks”, he concluded his programme speech at the plenary session of the European Parliament, promising that the Hungarian Presidency will work “with respect and humility” towards the long-term objectives that unite the European community, towards our common goals and long-term European perspective.

Commission Expects Partnership Cooperation

The Hungarian Presidency can count on full support of the Commission, confirmed José Manuel Barroso, who took the floor after Viktor Orbán, and declared “I am looking forward to working in partnership with Prime Minister Orbán”. He expressed his satisfaction that the Hungarian Presidency’s economic priorities are in full harmony with the Commission’s proposals.

Mr Barroso called the Hungarian Presidency’s goal to close the accession talks with Croatia “very ambitious”. He added that this also called for bigger impetus on Croatia’s part. Regarding another priority of the Hungarian Presidency to develop a European Roma Strategy, Mr Barroso said that a European framework must be put in place for national Roma strategies. Addressing the issue of the Danube Region Strategy, another high-profile goal of the Hungarian Presidency, Mr Barroso declared that the Danube region’s potential is not fully harnessed at the moment. Mr Barroso welcomed Hungary’s commitment in this respect.

Barroso: „The principle of freedom of press is a sacred one in the European Union”

Commenting on the Hungarian Media Act, Mr Barroso stated that “The principle of freedom of press is a sacred one in the European Union”. He declared that the Commission examined the Hungarian Media Act and will contact the Hungarian authorities later this week about the provisions that gave rise to concerns. “On the basis of the Hungarian authorities’ answer, we will assess the situation further”, Mr Barroso added. The Prime Minister made clear that adjustments will be made, should the Commission after this legal assessment decide that changes need to be made.

The President of the Commission stated that the issue of the Hungarian Media Act should be tackled in an “objective and impartial manner”. Hungary should be judged just like any other member state. Mr Barroso concluded his comment with the idea that “Hungary, as any other member state taking on the rotating presidency, needs to have the full backing of all the other member states and the European institutions”. “I have no doubt that this Presidency will be a success, coming at such a critical time in the European Union”, the President of the Commission declared.