The successful EU-Briefing on the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 12th inaugurated the year 2011 for the European Movement in Germany. More than 250 representatives of interest groups, institutions and diplomatic corps attended the presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian EU-Presidency by Hungarian Ambassador József Czukor. After new institutions and mechanisms have been implemented during the “year of decision” 2010, the Hungarian government has to tackle the consolidation of the EU as well as the amelioration of its citizen-friendliness.
In his official welcoming note, EBD-president Dieter Spöri ascertained that implementing the policy decisions of the European Council concerning the introduction of a mechanism for the protection of the financial stability will be an herculean task during the next months. With regards to the disputed media law enacted by the Hungarian Parliament shortly before Christmas, Spöri welcomed the dialog between the Hungarian Government and the European Commission. He also admonished to consider the European Union not only as an economic community but also as a community of values where freedom of press and freedom of speech are essential. The Hungarian Ambassador Mr. Czukor confirmed that Hungary will change its media law if a legal trial of the European Commission reveals discrepancies.
He mentioned that Hungary will be pursuing the aim of strengthening the EU for the future. Even though Hungary isn’t a member of the Euro zone, the stabilization of the Euro has been made a key priority of its presidency. Besides, the Hungarian presidency will focus on growth and employment policy, agriculture, cohesion and budget policy as well as on the enlargement process. The interconnection of the stability and growth pact and the “Europe 2020 strategy” is another concrete project for the next months. Hungary is also willing to end the accession negotiations with Croatia until this summer.
Thereafter, the European Commission represented by Matthias Petschke, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Berlin, the Federal Government represented by Claudia Dörr, Head of the European service of the Ministry of Economy and Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven, Head of the European Service of the German Foreign Office welcomed the priorities of the Hungarian EU-Presidency.