Hongaars voorzitterschap: Crisis Noord-Afrika laat zien dat we uitbreiding EU serieus moeten nemen (en)

The events in North Africa has clearly shown that the EU needs to act in time and should not wait until problems escalate, Minister of State for EU Affairs Eniko Gyori i stressed, at the informal meeting of the Council’s working group for enlargement issues, in Budapest on 5 May 2011.

The EU has to provide a reliable, conditionality-based European perspective to countries undergoing the accession process, and the preparation of such countries has to strengthen the EU’s stability, competitiveness and future prospects, Eniko Gyori said, in her opening speech at the informal meeting of the Council’s working group for enlargement issues (COELA), in Hungary. The Minister of State pointed out that each candidate country’s progress must be judged according to its own, specific performance, while it is also important to maintain their motivation by means of responsible negotiations and setting clear, achievable goals. Ms Gyori pointed out the risks entailed by delaying the process. “Let us act now while the house is not on fire," she said, in reference to the lessons already learned from the events that has taken place in North Africa.

Keeping up a reliable, conditionality-based accession process is a key priority for the Hungarian EU Presidency, Ms Gyori reminded COELA members. The 2004 and 2007 rounds of enlargement are a success story, according to, not only the Presidency, but also to the European Commission. Europe has become more stable and competitive, and it has gathered more international weight. These facts prove that “enlargement and stronger integration are not contradiction in terms”, the Minister of State emphasised.

Ms Gyori spoke highly of the efforts of Spain and Belgium, the other two members of the Presidency Trio, to maintain the impetus of enlargement policy. The General Affairs Council’s document - which was adopted back in 2010, during the Belgian Presidency’s term - advocated the enlargement process, and the Hungarian Presidency is taking actions based on this mandate. The Minister of State stressed that in the spirit of the renewed consensus on enlargement, the Presidency invites candidate countries to a series of informal ministerial meetings, where they can express their views.

Croatia in the finish

The Hungarian Presidency has made a clear commitment to conclude the accession negotiations with Croatia by the end of June, Ms Gyori confirmed. At the same time, she stressed that this will still depend on Croatia’s performance. “Unrelenting effort is needed from Croatia, while the Union has to demonstrate correctness and political will”, the Minister of State declared. “We are fully convinced that Croatia is capable of fulfilling the remaining requirements, with full cooperation and dialogue with the EU,” she added.

Previously, the Minister of State held a special meeting on the remaining tasks with Vladimir Drobnjak, the Chief Negotiator of Croatia’s accession talks. They agreed that the following period will be vital for both Zagreb and Brussels. The Croatian party declared that it will do its utmost to meet all requirements, so that the European Commission can declare the country is prepared for accession.

European Turkey needed

Speaking before the members of the enlargement working group, Eniko Gyori emphasised that the European Union needs a “European” Turkey. Ms Gyori reminded that Ankara is an important regional actor and a strategic partner for the EU, and she underlined the significance of the relationship in the field of energy policy. “The accession process contributes to the modernisation of that country, accession would strengthen rather than weaken the EU,” the Minister of State said.

Iceland: a potential success story

The accession process of Iceland has the potential to result in a success story. Nevertheless, we have to consider that the country has an ambiguous public opinion on this matter, Ms Gyori said, regarding this candidate country. She stressed that,“The Hungarian Presidency is ready to open a set of chapters in June, and if the Member States so decide, even opening and closing is possible in one go in certain cases”.

The State Minister reassured Member State representatives that the Presidency is also tightly cooperating with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro. “I am convinced that candidate countries are also aware of their tasks ahead,” Ms Gyori said.