EU affairs minister: Presidency aims to draft competitiveness agreement

The Hungarian European Union presidency aims to outline a new European competitiveness agreement by the time of the informal meeting of the European Council, to be held in Budapest on November 8, the EU affairs minister said on Tuesday.

Speaking after the informal meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Budapest, János Bóka told a press conference that participants agreed that demographic issues should be factored into EU decision-making more and represented in EU policies.

The meeting has looked at ways in which “better, high-quality lawmaking and the rule of law within EU institutions” could contribute to boosting competitiveness, Bóka said.

“Participants have agreed that there is room for improvement in the quality of the EU’s legislative process by conducting more focused impact studies, considering member states’ specific qualities, and including the relevant economic players in the decision-making process. At the informal dinner on Monday night, representatives of industrial players, digital Europe, and SMEs could also represent their views,” he said.

At a meeting on Tuesday, participants discussed ways to free up the human resources necessary to boost competitiveness and financial resources for new initiatives.

“Investment in modern technology, cutting the dependence on third countries, a unified digital market, and the development of R and I are crucial for a new European competitiveness pact,” Bóka said.

Regarding demographic challenges, Bóka said their importance was par with the ongoing green and digital transition.

“The solidifying trend of falling demographics in member states will lead to a mere 3.7 percent of the world’s population living in Europe by 2070, which raises serious questions regarding the competitiveness of the continent as well as its position in the world. [Representatives of] the member states have shared their policies regarding population decline and aging populations at a working lunch, and we touched on the importance of training and re-training and family policy,” Bóka said.

Bóka was asked whether Hungary was going to pay a 200 million euro fine by the September 17 deadline imposed by the Court of Justice of the European Union for what the court called violations of the EU’s migration policy. Bóka said the government was looking into the legal possibilities of gaining compensation from the EU for its costs incurred in border protection.

Confirming that Hungary has received “another letter” regarding the fine, Bóka said “Hungary has been making efforts above and beyond its capabilities to protect the external borders of the EU, which has consumed large financial and human resources, as well as political capital. Rather than the EU showing solidarity, we have received a court ruling imposing a serious fine. The Hungarian government will have to assess the political, budgetary and social consequences of paying that fine,” he said.

On the issue of the EU’s enlargement, Bóka said the Hungarian presidency focused on Romania and Bulgaria’s full integration into the Schengen Area. He added that the matter would also be tabled at the October and December meetings of the interior and justice ministers.

He said the informal General Affairs Council meeting was attended by 16 ministers, deputy ministers, and state secretaries, 8 European directors, a deputy director of the European Commission, and other dignitaries.

As we wrote today, the iInfringement procedure may follow Hungary’s National Card Programme, read details HERE.

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