Hongaars voorzitterschap tevreden met eerste drie maanden 2011, bereidt volgende drie maanden voor (en)

“We are pleased with the first three months of the Hungarian Presidency and are preparing for the next three months with unchanged commitment and dynamism,” Minister of State for EU affairs, Eniko Gyori, said receiving a delegation of the European Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, led by Deputy Chairman, Gérard Voisin, during a visit to Budapest on 4 April 2011.

The Minister of State referred to the Presidency’s achievements in the economic governance and the crisis management, and went on to discuss the Euro Plus Pact, saying that the Hungarian government agreed with five of the goals and will apply them to national legislation; but has reservations about the tax policy coordination. However, Gyori did not rule out Hungary’s eventual accession to the Pact, later in the future.

She referred to the cooperation between Hungary and France in persuading EU partners of the need to carry on a common and strong agricultural policy, as an important achievement. Ms Gyori also praised the Hungarian Presidency for its success in handling of unexpected crisis, such as the South Mediterranean situation and the earthquake in Japan.

Gyori outlined the Hungarian Presidency’s plans for the second three months. The Presidency hopes to put in place a European framework for national Roma integration strategies, an initiative that targets problem areas in addition to treating the Roma as a source of labour; and focuses on their integration into society, social inclusion, training and living conditions.

“One of our main priorities is to close the accession talks with Croatia by the end of our presidency. Let’s not formulate unrealistic terms,” Gyori stressed, citing the sensitive political situation in Croatia due to the delayed talks. Speaking of the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria, Gyori said a universally acceptable solution must be found, during the Hungary’s term. The two countries are technically ready to join the Schengen Area so it is not easy to keep them waiting.

The French Members of Parliament listened with great interest and addressed a number of questions to Ms Gyori about Hungary’s policy on nuclear energy. In her response, the Minister of State pointed out the Hungarian Presidency’s intention to have EU neighbour countries perform what are commonly referred to as stress tests. Responding to a question, Ms Gyori said she believed it was important that the presidency should remain responsible for representing the EU externally, in respect of matters of shared competence under the new framework created by the Lisbon Treaty.