Economie, migratie en Kroatië op agenda Europese Raad (en)

The European Union ministers for EU affairs and foreign policy, dealt with the last preparatory steps of the European Council meeting, which is to be held in Luxembourg on 23-24 June. After the General Affairs Council meeting on 21 June, Foreign Minister János Martonyi, said that heads of state and government will discuss the issues of economic policy, migration and Croatia’s accession in the second half of the week.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the Hungarian foreign minister said that the economic issues that were discussed had also included the topic of the European Semester. The new economic policy coordination mechanism made its debut during the Hungarian Presidency’s term, and it has provided a framework for the EU, giving country-specific recommendations for the Member States’ economic policies. Mr Martonyi said that Member States have welcomed the timely conclusion of the Semester. “This could be done due to the performance and incredible and timely efforts deployed primarily by the European Commission, but also by the Member States,” he said.

The Commission had presented its country-specific recommendations on 7 June, which were discussed by social and employment ministers and finance ministers,at their meeting on 17 and 20 June. EU Commissioner for Inter-institutional Relations Maroš Šefcovic, appreciated the Hungarian Presidency for conducting these debates smoothly. “We managed to clarify the remaining issues. Now we have consensual approach to the country specific recommendations. Now the European Semester is over and the national semesters will start,” he said.

Martonyi mentioned that in preparing for the Council meeting, the foreign ministers also discussed the Euro Plus Pact and the package of six legislative proposals. Referring to the latter, he underlined that it is the Member States’ common responsibility to build a solid ground for sustainable growth and job creation; as well as to secure their macro-economic balance. He added that the success of the legislative package is also the test of the EU institutions’ cooperation, and the “community method”.

Migration

During the Hungarian Presidency’s term, migration issues posed an extraordinary challenge from several aspects. From the beginning, the Presidency has taken on its agenda the issues of the free movement of persons, the strengthening of the Schengen area and the establishment of the European Asylum System. At the same time, the events in the EU’s southern neighbourhood directed attention to the strengthening of the external borders and to the renewal of its partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood. This will be the subject of a separate declaration, which is to be adopted by heads of states and government coming Friday.

The Hungarian Presidency is confident that the European Council will endorse the free movement in the Schengen area as one of its most successful achievements. Heads of state and government are expected to confirm their earlier commitment, on creating a Common European Asylum System by 2012. As part of this process, the April meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council has already adopted the initiative to extend the directive on long-term residence status to individuals, under national protection. During the last days of its EU Presidency, Hungary has continued actively consulting with the EU institutions on the revision of the FRONTEX regulation, whichgoverns the external border control agency; so that it can also be incorporated into the European Council’s conclusions.

According to Mr Martonyi, the foreign ministers had a successful debate on migration, where individual arguments complemented each other, which make it possible to submit a balanced text to the European Council. “This does not exclude possible amendments. We will convey all this comments to the President of the European Council,” the minister said.

Croatia

"I have good news," Mr Martonyi pointed out, referring to Croatia. He revealed that according to the draft conclusions that were compiled at the meeting, the European Council explicitly supports the conclusion of the accession negotiations until 30 June. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Mr Šefcovic also confirmed the Presidency announcement at the press conference.

In response to a journalist’s question, Mr Martonyi pointed out that he can see no more obstacles leading up to the accession, but “some technical issues still have to be clarified. This is currently - and apparently successfully - in process.”

Roma Integration and Danube Strategy

Martonyi highlighted that the two more goals of the Hungarian Presidency are also expected to be reached in the European Council meeting, specifically, the heads of state and government will endorse the Danube Region Strategy and the European Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

On the latter, Member States have adopted the Presidency’s report and the annexed Council conclusions, at the General Affairs Council meeting on 23 May, while the former was given the green light by foreign ministers on 13 April.

Programme for the Next 18 Months

Hungary will hand over the Presidency to Poland on 1 July 2011, which will mark the beginning of the eighteen months long Polish-Danish-Cypriot Presidency Trio. The ministers have discussed the Trio programme, which was prepared for this period. At the press conference, Martonyi welcomed the document and emphasised the importance of the three parties' cooperation.

Conciliation with the President of the European Council

After the General Affairs Council meeting, Martonyi held talks with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy i. The foreign minister took an account of the results of the preparatory meeting of heads of state and government. He also informed Mr Van Rompuy on the progress made in the field of the six-pack during the past few days. He stressed that economic and finance ministers have reached an agreement on 20 June; and have made allowances to all requests of the European Parliament (EP). Mr Martonyi regretably said that so far - according to the 21 June vote of the EP’s committee for economic and monetary affairs, this was not enough for the Parliament. He and Mr Van Rompuy have agreed that the adoption of the six-pack is the common responsibility of the institutions. The President of the European Council took note of the fact that the Hungarian Presidency has accomplished all tasks set out by the previous EU Summits.

The foreign minister expressed his gratefulness for the support of the President and its cabinet, particularly in relation to the promotion of Croatia’s accession process. In accordance with Mr Van Rompuy, Mr Martonyi believed that the European Council President will also have to play a primary role in the enlargement policy in the future. Mr Van Rompuy said that as a token of acknowledgement of the efforts of Croatia and the Hungarian Presidency, he will receive Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, together with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso i, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán i, after the next scheduled European Council meeting.

In the meeting, Messrs Martonyi and Van Rompuy spoke highly of the Presidency’s achievements in the field of migration. The Hungarian minister have expressed hopes that the institutions will reach an agreement at the trialogue on the Frontex regulation, which is to take place on 21 June.