Orbán’s Fidesz would like North Macedonia to become EU member ASAP

Zsolt Németh, the head of the Hungarian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, on Monday called on the European Union to start a “meaningful” enlargement process in respect of North Macedonia’s accession negotiations.

Speaking on the first day of the summer session of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Németh said in a speech held on behalf of the Council’s conservative group that North Macedonia’s elections had been deemed “free and fair by all analysts, and there can be no legal obstacle to victory of right-wing forces.”

Németh added that he hoped that the “bilateral problems regarding the accession, especially in relation with Bulgaria”, would be soon resolved.

Fundamental rights, ethnic minorities, rule of law

Regarding the EP elections earlier this month, Németh said cooperation between the EU and the CoE was key for Europe’s future. They must cooperate closely to ensure that fundamental human rights, the rights of ethnic minorities, democracy and the rule of law thrive, he said.

PACE is scheduled to elect the next Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, as the five-year term of Marija Pejcinovic Buric has expired, he said. The three candidates, Didier Reynders of Belgium, Indrek Saar of Estonia and Alain Berset of Switzerland were “seasoned” politicians, he said, adding that the next Secretary General would be able to face the challenges posed by wars, conflicts and “changes in the European political landscape”.

Hungary’s EU presidency to strive for agriculture to be key policy area in next EU cycle

Hungary’s European Union presidency starting on July 1 will strive for agriculture to be a key policy area during the next EU cycle, Istvan Nagy, the minister of agriculture, said on Monday in Luxembourg. Hungary wants agriculture to be crisis-proof, competitive, sustainable, farmer-centered and knowledge-based, Nagy told a press conference after a meeting of EU agriculture ministers.

Agricultural dossiers not yet closed by the Belgian presidency will be taken forward by the Hungarian presidency, he said, adding that Hungary would also open new dossiers handling action against food waste and soil protection, for example.

Hungary will seek to set guidelines to the next European Commission, with conclusions that guide common agricultural policy for the next five years, alongside streamlining rules and setting new ones to make CAP “simpler and more effective”.

Grain dumping from Ukraine

Visegrád Group ministers also held a meeting, he said, adding that he expected “good” cooperation with the Polish V4 presidency, also starting on July 1. Hungary, the minister added, would prioritise areas that bring special benefits to the V4.

Regarding grain dumping from Ukraine, Nagy said Hungary’s EU presidency would monitor and report to the commission regarding grain and any other food exports from Ukraine, gathering fresh and authentic data “to ensure swift responses”.

Given the opening of sea ports and with them Ukraine’s traditional agricultural markets in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Kyiv should stick to selling its products in these markets, he added.

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