Voorzitter Europese Commissie bedankt Hongaars voorzitterschap voor toewijding (en)

The European Council will support the conclusion of Croatia’s accession negotiations, Minister of State Eniko Gyori i said on 22 June 2011 in Brussels, in the plenary meeting of the European Parliament. Gyori urged for the adoption of the package of six legislative proposals; President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso i, appreciated the Hungarian Presidency’s work.

Eniko Gyori informed the Parliament on the 23-24 meeting of the European Council, as it is the responsibility of the Presidency to prepare the dossiers on the agenda of the summit. The Minister of State highlighted the planned economic decisions, issues concerning cooperation in home affairs and the accession of Croatia.

The European Council will close the first European semester, the control and harmonisation of economic policies, Ms Gyori said, stressing that contributing to the implementation of the first Semester has been one of the key objectives of the Hungarian Presidency. The Minister of State highly appreciated that the first European Semester lasted a semester and not a day longer.

Speaking about the six legislations aimed at reforming economic governance, Ms Gyori said: the Hungarian Presidency has received the mandate from the European Council to reach a political agreement with the European Parliament (EP) by the end of June. She reminded MEPs that first, the Parliament had proposed two thousand amendments for the package of six legislative proposals, but the Presidency has managed to reduce the outstanding issues to one single major question and some technicalities.

In her speech given at the end of the debate, Ms Gyori invited MEPs to vote in favour of the compromise proposal, which was developed jointly with the Council and the Commission. „I would recommend this agreement for adoption, as the Parliament has received concessions on every issue, including the question of reverse qualified majority,” Ms Gyori said.

Ms Gyori reminded MEPs that Hungary had promised to run a Parliament-friendly Presidency, and she herself had been, “personally involved in fascinating talks with many members of this House.” “We hope that the results which have brought us to the gate of agreement will not be wasted.”

Concerning migration, asylum and the Schengen border control system, Ms Gyori said that the summit will discuss ideas regarding a possible safeguard mechanism to supplement the Schengen system. But the Minister of State mentioned: “the good functioning of Schengen requires Member States to fully implement the rules; and thus enhance mutual trust among them. It also requires an effective and updated monitoring and evaluation system.”

Here, Ms Gyori reminded the MEPs that Schengen is closely related to the free movement of persons, and both belong to the most visible and popular achievements of European integration

In this context, Ms Gyori called it of key importance that the Common European Asylum System be completed by 2012.

Concerning Croatia, Ms Gyori said: the European Council will call for the conclusion of the accession negotiations with Croatia by the end of June 2011. The signing of the Accession Treaty is envisaged before the end of the year.

The Minister of State reminded the Parliament that closing the accession negotiations with Croatia was listed among the top priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. “These developments bring a new momentum to the European integration of the Western Balkans,” Ms Gyori added. Later, at the end of the debate she gave another speech and said, “Croatia now faces a historical moment, and through this country we can send a message to the states of the Western Balkans that they have a place in the European Union.”

Ms Gyori praised the significant efforts made by Croatia, the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency, with the substantial support of the Parliament.

“The European Council is likely to endorse the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies; thus realising two further priorities of the Hungarian Presidency,” Ms Gyori said.

Finally, Ms Gyori reminded MEPs that the motto of the Hungarian Presidency was “strong Europe.” She quoted Jerzy Buzek i, President of EP, who said that “after the Hungarian Presidency, Europe will be stronger and better.”

In her second speech closing the debate, Ms Gyori stated, “We are convinced that deeper integration is the resolution for our concerns.”

Making a contribution to the plenary debate, President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso i, thanked Eniko Gyori, representing the Hungarian Presidency, “For the commitment shown during all these months,” concerning the adoption of the package of six legislative proposals. Commissioner responsible for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration Maroš Šefcovic i, acknowledged the Hungarian Presidency for its efforts on concluding the accession negotiations with Croatia.