Ane Barcos-Aquí Europa On July 1, Hungary will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will run until December 2024. Under the leadership of Viktor Orbán, Hungary assumes the Presidency at a time of transition, coinciding with the first months of legislature, the constitution of the new Parliament and the new European Commission. The Hungarian program warns of common challenges facing Europe, including war on its borders, global competition, fragile security, illegal migration, vulnerability of international supply chains, natural disasters, climate change and trends demographics. To address these challenges, Hungary has set seven priorities for the next six months: a new European competitiveness agreement, strengthening European defense policy, a coherent and merit-based enlargement policy, curbing illegal migration, shaping the future of cohesion policy, a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy and addressing demographic challenges. All this, under the motto "Make Europe great again". Hungarian priorities pictogram. Source: Hungarian Presidency New European competitiveness agreement Concerned that in the new geopolitical context "Europe is lagging behind its global competitors", the Hungarian Presidency calls for a new community competitiveness agreement with the aim of addressing the effects "of the difficult economic circumstances of recent years ", restore economic development and create the conditions for sustainable growth, deepening the internal market, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and promoting the transition towards a green and digital economy in collaboration with economic actors and European citizens. Strengthening European defense policy The Hungarian Presidency will place "particular emphasis" on strengthening the Community defense industrial and technological base, including defense innovation and improving defense procurement cooperation between Member States. As the program notes, "current and emerging conflicts on the continent and around the world clearly demonstrate that Europe needs to significantly improve its defense capabilities, response capabilities and international crisis management capabilities." In this sense, the Hungarian Presidency affirms that, beyond alliances and cooperation in defense policy, the bloc must "guarantee its own security, strengthening its resilience and its capacity for action." A coherent and merit-based enlargement policy "It is essential to maintain a merit-based, balanced and credible enlargement policy," the text highlights. In the section dedicated to enlargement, the program refers only to the accession of the Western Balkans, stating that the European Union "has long been committed to ensuring a European perspective for the Western Balkans" and that "the Community cannot be complete without the accession of this region". Stating that the integration of the region would benefit the Union in economic, security and geopolitical terms, the Hungarian Presidency invites partners in the Balkans to consultations both within the framework of the EU-Western Balkans Summit and in the European Political Community." to further expand and deepen our cooperation." Stop illegal migration "To find the right solutions," the text states, "closer cooperation with the EU's bordering countries, as well as with key countries of origin and transit, is essential." To curb illegal migration, the Hungarian Presidency advocates efficient cooperation with relevant third countries, more effective returns and innovative solutions to asylum rules. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of the protection of external borders and the need for EU funds for this purpose. Shaping the future of cohesion policy The text also insists on the urgency for Europe to reduce regional disparities and guarantee economic, social and territorial cohesion, advocating "a well-structured and balanced cohesion policy" as a key instrument for this. In that regard, the Hungarian Presidency will seek a high-level strategic debate on the future of cohesion policy, including its role in promoting competitiveness and employment, as well as addressing demographic challenges. A farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy The Hungarian Presidency's program highlights the importance of "seeing agriculture not as a cause of climate change, but as part of the solution", urging the involvement of farmers in the adoption of more sustainable production practices. Insisting that a long-term guarantee of food sovereignty and security should be part of the EU's strategic autonomy, the Hungarian Presidency "will encourage the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to take advantage of the institutional transition period and guide the new Commission in formulating the rules of the Union's agricultural policy post-2027 to achieve a competitive, crisis-proof and sustainable economy for farmers. Address demographic challenges Given the concern about "the accelerated aging of European societies, unsustainable social welfare systems and labor shortages are long-standing problems that are intensifying throughout Europe," the Hungarian Presidency, "fully respecting the powers of the States members", urges to address these challenges, noting that the Commission's demographic toolbox published in October 2023, "provides a good basis for this". Logo of the Hungarian Presidency. The logo chosen for this presidency is a Rubik's cube, a symbol of "Hungarian ingenuity and creativity", on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the famous logic game invented by Erno Rubik. The Presidency highlights that completing the cube requires qualities essential for the presidency of the Council of the European Union, such as strategic acumen, patience, discipline and precision.
