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At a public press conference in the Parliament Building in Budapest on Tuesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that in the parliamentary election on Sunday “the Hungarian people stood up in support of Hungarian sovereignty”.

Assessing the election, the Prime Minister and President of Fidesz said that “the Hungarian people identified the most important issues: immigration and national sovereignty. From the election result I can conclude with absolute certainty that the Hungarian people have stated that they alone may decide on who they wish to live alongside in Hungary […] this decision is binding on us”.

 

 

Hungary, he said, is “a European nation which wants a strong Europe, comprising strong Member States.”

According to the Prime Minister, the Government must stand up in support of a Europe of nations, and not a “United States of Europe”.

In relation to the Fidesz-KDNP alliance’s election victory, he said that “support for us is clear, and we have received a strong mandate. Indeed, if we look back over the past thirty years, it is one of the strongest mandates – if not the strongest”.

The Prime Minister also stated that “we will not simply continue the Government’s work, but form a new government: we do not intend to extend the previous term, but instead begin a new term.” Every minister and minister of state has finished their work, he said.

Accordingly, Mr. Orbán said, significant changes and modifications can be expected, with the formation of a cabinet made up “mostly of new people and partly of new structures”. Mr. Orbán explained that at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Fidesz board, he had been given a mandate to begin the work of forming a government, and had already contacted the KDNP to begin negotiations. “I believe there is no reason to involve any other coalition party”, he said, adding that the negotiations on formation of the new government could take 3–4 weeks.

 

 

In reply to a question on whether he can name a minister who was a member of the previous government and will also be a member of the new government, he said: “Yes, I could, but I don’t want to.”

In reply to another question, the Prime Minister said that his intention is for the upcoming term in government to focus on demography.

Mr. Orbán thanked those who had taken part in managing the election, and also the press, which “helped to ensure that every message was communicated to the electorate”.

In his assessment of the election, he said it was also a celebration for the people, and this is one of the reasons why voter turnout was so high. Of the campaign, he said it was “energetic and intensive, and all its messages were communicated to the electorate”, thanks to the modern structure of Hungarian public discourse.

In response to a question about an opposition demonstration planned for Sunday, Mr. Orbán said: “The people have decided – end of story.”

In relation to a possible return to government for Central Bank Governor György Matolcsy, the Prime Minister said that for the moment he had only had the opportunity to briefly ask Mr. Matolcsy how the money markets had reacted to the election result. The answer he had received on this was reassuring, but nothing else was discussed.

In relation to the character of future economic policy, he said that he belongs to the “Matolcsy school” of economics – the fundamental principle of which is that finances must be in order; and so one can count on further falls in government debt.

On the subject of the “Stop Soros” legislative package, Mr. Orbán said that the bill had been submitted to Parliament prior to the election precisely to enable the people to come to a decision with full knowledge of these plans. He said that it seems that the electorate have indeed backed those who submitted the bill. “We feel that we have a mandate to adopt the legislation”, he stressed.

Asked whether any of the opposition parties had congratulated him on the election victory, the Prime Minister said that he belongs to the school in which one congratulates one’s opponent after losing. He said that “I have been in that situation. Obviously I will experience it in the future”, adding that, however, “There are other schools too.”

On the other hand, Mr. Orbán reported that President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker had phoned to congratulate him, and he had invited Mr. Juncker to Hungary. The visit is expected to take place within a week or two.

Asked about the possible closure of Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet and Lánchíd Radio, the Prime Minister did not wish to comment, explaining that he does not involve himself with business issues, and that the future of privately-owned media will be decided by the owners.

With respect to the opposition’s relative success in Budapest, Mr. Orbán said “we must work harder in Budapest”, which, as the nation’s capital, “is close to our hearts”.

Concerning the criticism of the Hungarian parliamentary election voiced by the OSCE, the Prime Minister simply said that  in relation to the Hungarian election the organisation had put forward a political opinion, to which his response is “Thank you for your comments.”

The Prime Minister was also asked whether he thought Central European University would continue operating in Budapest, to which he replied that the new cabinet has not yet discussed this issue.

In reply to a question on the fairness of the electoral system, he pointed out that under the British system Sunday’s election result would have been a landslide victory. He also underlined, however, that he will strive to serve the “three-thirds majority” of Hungarians.

In response to a question on the possible introduction of a presidential system, the Prime Minister also made it clear that the view of parliamentary democracy as the most secure and transparent system for Hungary remains valid.

In relation to the “amends” he had mentioned in his speech on 15 March, Mr. Orbán said he had not used the word “revenge” at all. He added that everyone must respect the given legal frameworks. He noted that the people had decided from a political perspective, and he thanked them.

 

 

The Prime Minister also spoke about foreign policy, and promised that in the future Hungarian-Bavarian and Hungarian-Polish relations will continue to enjoy priority attention.

In reply to a question on possible changes to the Hungarian government’s policy in relation to Germany, Mr. Orbán said: “As soon as we find out what Germany’s policy is, I’ll be able to answer that question immediately.” In closing, he said that “We would like to continuously improve relations with every country, and this is also true of Germany. I was not elected by the German people, however, but by the Hungarians.”

(MTI)

The informal meeting of health ministers under the Bulgarian Presidency took place on 22-23 April in Sofia, where Ms Márta Ladányi deputy secretary of state headed the Hungarian delegation.

At the morning debate delegations agreed that multi sectoral and multi stakeholder approach is necessary to ensure that the population and especially  children have access to healthier nutrition.

In the view of the Hungarian delegation the supply of healthy, safe and high-quality foods need to be supported in all possible ways and their production should be promoted on a higher scale. It is of utmost importance to maintain and strengthen the subsidy scheme for sustainable agricultural policies, especially those promoting ecological farming. Moreover, food marketing to children is a global phenomenon with many challenges, like the association of food with gifts, that need to be addressed at EU level taking into account the latest merchandising tools. Further research is also necessary to better understand consumers’ drivers for a healthier lifestyle.

Ministers also discussed the current challenges related to the efficiency, affordability and availability of medicinal products. One might ask why to discuss pharma-related matters in the Council every year. Hungary is convinced that we can never speak too much about medicines as long as the challenges we are facing are relevant. And they are relevant, because with a limited healthcare budget governments have to meet the needs of all patients and at the same time grant access to new and usually highly expensive technologies.

In such an environment Member States have to cooperate closely to better evaluate the added value of new therapies. Horizon scanning, early dialogues with developers and health technology assessment are evident fields of cooperation. This process however should always be Member State-driven and NOT industry-driven. It is also important that the exchange on sustainable models for financing is continued. We recognize the ongoing reflections at EU level, on the other hand the greatest added value can be reached by regional cooperation where countries in similar economic situation can work together. Hungary is already involved in such a cooperation together with Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Latvia.

In Parliament on Thursday afternoon Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that his government will oppose the mandatory quotas, stand up for Christian culture and fight to protect the country’s borders. In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister stressed that Hungary needs the EU, and the EU also needs Hungary, and the country must and will enter the arena of European politics. He also stated that his government will be a government of free Hungarians and a sovereign Hungarian state. He stressed that he is aware that many will find it incredible, but he thinks that by 2030 it is an achievable goal for Hungary to be among the five best countries in the European Union in which to live and work.

At the beginning of his speech Mr. Orbán stressed that the Government is being formed on the basis of a two-thirds parliamentary majority capable of constitutional amendment, but “it will always serve the three thirds.”

In his words, the homeland cannot be in opposition, because it stands high above political parties, and “service to it cannot be dependent on whether at a given time one is in opposition or in government.” He promised his political opponents that in conflict between parties he will fight according to the code of chivalry, but “If we are attacked, we shall give as good as we get.”

The Prime Minister thanked everyone who voted in the elections, especially those who voted for Fidesz-KDNP, and declared that “I stand before you full of optimism, hope and the desire for action.”

 

 

“The work completed so far can give us all the requisite self-confidence,” he continued, adding that “If we look back, and even including the mistakes that were made, for Hungary we can wish that that the years ahead may always be at least as good as the past eight have been.” In his opinion, voters may also share this view, and this may be the explanation for the “prosaic mathematical fact” that the Fidesz-KDNP alliance gained more votes than the combined total cast for all the opposition parties represented in Parliament. Regarding the future, he said that in the next four years the Government will undertake to do great things: “We want to complete a truly momentous task – indeed tasks. We also know that, from a certain perspective, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – but now we are hunting really big game.”

He also said that “It has been a long time since the stars were aligned as favourably for our homeland as they are right now. Today the Hungarian cause has been won. Everything required for great plans is now in place”.

In his words, Hungarians now not only believe that, if they acquit themselves well, tomorrow will not be worse than today: they also believe that tomorrow can be better.

Mr. Orbán stated that Hungarians “want us to have a government that is worthy of the opportunities that lie ahead of us […] This encourages and empowers us to prepare our plans not for four years, but for ten years; in fact, now we should think forward over a period of twelve years.” He added that this is a requirement for responsible governance, as the implementation of the European Union’s next financial framework will extend up until 2030. He said that he has always seen the twenty years between 2010 and 2030 as a single period.

 

 

 

He indicated that by the end of this parliamentary term he could reach the point at which he has served the same length of time in government as in opposition: sixteen years in each. Then, he said, “the scores will still only be level,” and “we will not be satisfied with a draw.”

He continued by saying that while many will consider it incredible, he thinks that by 2030 it is an achievable goal for Hungary to be among the five best countries in the European Union in which to live and work. The Prime Minister also believes that it is possible for the country to be among the five best EU Member States in terms of the new form of competitiveness ranking, in which the criterion is quality rather than quantity.

Mr. Orbán said that “after winning a two-thirds majority three times in a row we must commit ourselves to the impossible; because others can also do that which is possible”. In terms of this he highlighted his ambition to halt Hungary’s demographic decline and to return it to an upward path.

He said that major roads will connect Budapest with county-ranked cities, motorways will extend to the country’s borders, and that it will be possible to reach a multi-lane highway from any point in the country within thirty minutes. New solar parks and the Paks II nuclear power plant will bring Hungary to the forefront in the production of clean and sustainable energy.

He pointed out that at present six hundred multinational companies are responsible for 80 per cent of world exports, and therefore investments must be brought to Hungary which produce high added value and higher wages. He outlined another goal for increasing Hungarian-owned companies’ share in exports from Hungary to 50 per cent of the total.

 

 

 

Mr. Orbán expressed his support for a dramatic reduction in the extent of widespread illnesses, indicating that to this end he will not shy away from streamlining health care and introducing strong incentives.

He also said that a new Hungarian defence force will be built. In this context, he drew attention to the fact that neighbouring countries are continuously upgrading their military capacities, and in general it is also true that “a nation that is unable to guarantee its own defence is irresponsible, and is making a historic mistake”. He said that he is particularly counting on talented young officers.

The Prime Minister promised that Central Europe’s spiritual and cultural community of historical fate will also be built up in economic terms, and that its capitals and other cities will be linked by road, rail and air. “We support the major role of Poland, and in cooperation with it we shall lay the foundations of an extended Central European economic area”, he said.

 

 

 

Among goals for the future he mentioned the restoration of Budapest’s former greatness and glory. He said that the capital will play an important role in the unification of the nation, as Budapest is the capital of every Hungarian – wherever in the world they may live.

Mr. Orbán also stated that already before 2010 he believed the task ahead of him was to understand that “we were entering a new era, which demanded change from everyone”. He said that the aim of the crisis management measures adopted at that time was not to return to better times preceding the crisis, but “also to lay new foundations, and enact innovation”: a new tax system, new monetary policy, a new constitution, new legal codes, new family support measures and a new attitude to work.

He mentioned the inevitability of intellectual debate when a nation embarks on a new path. “At times like this the intellectual followers of the old world order, its financial beneficiaries, the lazy, the idle and the slothful all join forces to attack the innovators”, he said, adding that “the more successful we are, the angrier our critics become”.

“In my view, a contribution to the results we have achieved so far was made by our openly declaration that the age of liberal democracy is at an end”, Mr. Orbán stated, arguing that liberal democracy is no longer able to protect people’s dignity, provide freedom, guarantee physical security or maintain Christian culture. He observed that some in Europe are still “tinkering with it”, because they believe that they can repair it, but they fail to understand that it is not the structure that is defective: the world that has changed.

 

 

 

The Prime Minister said that the Hungarian people’s response to this changed world has been that “to replace the shipwreck of liberal democracy, we have built 21st-century Christian democracy, which guarantees human dignity, freedom and security, protects equality between men and women and the traditional family model, suppresses anti-Semitism, defends our Christian culture and offers our nation the chance of survival and growth.” He stressed that “we Are Christian democrats and we want Christian democracy.”

He also pointed out that it is the duty of the Government to prepare the country for a new era in technology. In this new era, he said, everyone must work, and today 800,000 more people are in employment than eight years ago. He added that government debt is 17 per cent lower than the eurozone average, while “twelve months’ wages in 2010 can now be earned in just eight months”.

One should likewise bear in mind, he continued, that the survival of the Hungarian people is not automatic, and one must assume the possibility of demographic “atrophy”. Survival is a question of life force, and therefore the Hungarian state and the Hungarian government of the day must be stable, strong and ready to take action, he said: “this takes priority over everything; this supersedes all else”.

He asserted that “we must have the confidence and dignity of a country which knows that the Hungarians have given more to the world than they have taken from it”.

 

 

 

He indicated that he would like to convince neighbouring countries to cooperate on turning the Carpathian Basin into Europe’s safest, most rapidly developing single economic, trade and transport area. “In the past few years we have provided ample evidence that there is no reason to be afraid of the Hungarians, and those who cooperate with us reap the benefit”, he added.

The Prime Minister also said that Hungary remains a committed member of the Western system of alliances, but this does not change the geographical distinctiveness of Hungarian statehood: to the West is the land of German iron chancellors; to the East the Slavic world of military nations; and to the South the Islamic multitude. Therefore, he warned, Hungarian policy cannot align itself with theories of the export of democracy, it cannot join in delivering sermons to other nations, and it cannot find common voice with those who insult the German, Russian and Turkish peoples and their leaders.

Mr. Orbán said that his government belongs to the school which holds that the Hungarians have never wanted to be a slave-like nation. He quoted from The National Song by Sándor Petőfi, observing that every Hungarian child takes this oath: “Who lived and died free, Can find no rest in a land enslaved. To the God of the Hungarians we vow, We vow, that slaves no longer shall we be!” He stressed that “My government shall be the government of free Hungarians and a sovereign Hungarian state”.

 

 

 

Turning to the EU, the Prime Minister declared that Hungary wants a strong Europe, peace and mutually advantageous agreements. “We need the EU, and the EU also needs us”, he added, stating that the Government will focus all its strength on representing the view that the EU must operate as an alliance of free nations, must give up “the fever dream” of a United States of Europe, and must return to reality.

In Brussels nowadays thousands of paid activists, bureaucrats and politicians are working to have migration declared a fundamental human right, he said, and “therefore they want to deprive us of the right to decide for ourselves who we let in to the country and who we refuse entry to”. He stated that eventually migration would lead to the disintegration of nations, with a single open society remaining, ruled by a single European government. “This is the fate that awaits those who fail to defend themselves against migration”, he said, confirming that his government is a determined opponent of all this.

Mr. Orbán argued that multiculturalism was the first step in the process, political correctness the second, and the mandatory resettlement quotas would be the third. He said that “We must and we will enter the arena of European politics, in order to stop the Europe that we love – and for which we are ready to make major sacrifices – climbing to the next step towards self-immolation”. He declared that Hungary shall oppose the mandatory quotas, stand up for Christian culture, and fight to protect its borders.

The Prime Minister concluded by saying that “now that I have taken my oath, I hereby pledge to every member of the Hungarian nation – to all fifteen million Hungarians, both individually and collectively – that in all my actions I will be guided by the service of our nation and country, the Hungarian people, Hungarian interests and Christian values”.

You can read the speech of the Prime Minister here.

(MTI, photo: Károly Árvai, Gergely Botár/ kormany.hu)

The next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) will take place in Brussels on 22 May 2018. The Hungarian delegation will be led by H.E. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Council will adopt mandates to open negotiations on Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand and Council Conclusions on the negotiation and conclusion of EU trade agreements. 

The Council will review the state of play of the negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) following the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) held in 2017 December and will discuss the strategy and priorities of the EU ahead of the WTO mini-ministerial meeting to be held on 31 May in the margins of the OECD trade ministerial meeting. Due to major differences among the WTO Members’ positions there were no substantial outcome in the MC11, and as the US is still blocking the selection of the new members of the WTO Appellate Body the WTO faces serious challenges.

Ministers will exchange views on the council decisions on the signing and conclusion of the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement, the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement. Hungary looks forward to sign and conclude the agreements with Japan and Singapore as soon as possible and hopes that the improved market access conditions will contribute to increase its exports to these markets.

Ministers will be debriefed on the state of play of the ongoing free trade negotiations in particular with Mercosur and the modernization of the existing Global Agreement with Mexico. Commissioner Malmström will present the outcome of the agreement in principle with Mexico which Hungary welcomes. Regarding the Mercosur negotiations, Hungary can support an agreement with Mercosur countries, provided that it is balanced, comprehensive, well-calibrated and reflects Hungarian agricultural sensitivities appropriately.

During a working lunch Ministers will discuss the state of play of the trade relations between the EU and the United States, with special attention to the Union’s position regarding the US steel and aluminium tariff measure.

The Council of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport of 22-23 May adopted a revised recommendation on key competences (among others on literacy competence, multilingual competence and digital competence) for lifelong learning, that all individuals need for personal fulfilment and development, employability, social inclusion, sustainable lifestyle, successful life in peaceful societies, health-conscious life management and active citizenship.

The Council also adopted a recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching, as well as conclusions on moving towards a European Education Area.

Participants discussed the potential of universities in promoting regional growth and entrepreneurial and innovative skills, focusing in particular on what measures and incentives can develop the potential of higher education institutions, and on the role of smart specialisation strategies.

The Council adopted conclusions on the role of youth in building a secure, cohesive and harmonious society, as well as conclusions on the role of youth in addressing the demographic challenges.

The Council also held a policy debate on the future priorities of the EU youth policy in the presence of Mr. Hassan Al Hilou, Community Leader of the YouthTalks Foundation. The discussion was intended to facilitate the debate on the revised European Youth Strategy.

The second day the Council had an exchange of views on a long term vision for the contribution of culture to the EU after 2020, focusing in particular on what actions need to be undertaken at EU level to raise the level of ambition in the cultural field, so that culture becomes a real driver of change in the future.

The Council also adopted conclusions on bringing cultural heritage to the fore across policies in the EU, taking into consideration the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018.

After an informal lunch meeting of sports ministers with the President of UEFA, Mr Aleksander Čeferin, to discuss the future of club and national team competitions, the Council adopted conclusions on promoting the common values of the EU through sports.

The Council also held a policy debate on the commercialisation of elite sports and the sustainability of the European model of sport, also in the presence of Mr Čeferin. 

Ministers agreed on a general approach on the draft regulation to improve the application of the principle of mutual recognition in order to ensure that goods lawfully marketed in one Member State can be sold in any other Member State. Participants gave full support to the proposal and agreed that a more effective application of the mutual recognition principle is key to reducing trade barriers in the internal market.

Under the policy debate on the Regulation on Platforms-to-business relations ministers had the opportunity to express their views on the recent Commission proposal. Participants agreed with the analysis that there is a need to improve predictability and transparency of online platforms in order to exploit the potential of the online platform economy while promoting trust and ensuring better access of business users to cross-border markets.

The permanent competitiveness “check-up” agenda item focused on the linkages between the Internal Market and industrial competitiveness. According to the Member States, pharmaceuticals, digital and automotive industry are the most promising sectors, which have the greatest potential to improve competitiveness. At the same time, ministers draw attention to the imperfections of the Single Market, which is particularly true for energy market, transportation and services sector as a whole.

Commissioner Věra Jourová, provided information on the consumer protection package called „New Deal for Consumers”, which was adopted on 11 April 2018 by the Commission. State Secretary Krisztián Kecsmár welcomed the new proposals and supported their objectives. He welcomed the provisions of the package, which confirm that the practice of dual quality is misleading since any discrimination of consumers living in different parts of the Union is unacceptable.

As regards the on-going initiatives in the field of intellectual property, Emil Karanikolov, Bulgarian minister for economy provided an overview on the state of play of the negotiations concerning the Copyright Package. Moreover, Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska introduced the proposal for a regulation concerning the supplementary protection certificate (SPC) for medicinal products, adopted on the day of the meeting. State Secretary Krisztián Kecsmár welcomed the Commission’s proposal and the introduction of the SPC manufacturing waiver for export purposes. He added to be convinced that it would contribute to saving European jobs, promoting growth and would prevent the relocation of the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products outside Europe, thus retaining the competitiveness of European generic medicine manufacturers.

Commissioner Věra Jourová presented the Company Law Package. The main objectives of the proposals are to enable entrepreneurs to set up and register a limited liability company and branch fully online, and to promote cross-border mobility of companies thus allowing the full exploitation of their business opportunities through a balanced legal framework.

On the Research part of the Competitiveness Council the minister adopted the Council conclusions on the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and on accelerating knowledge circulation in the European Union.

The ministers had a policy debate on R&I within the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Several ministers supported an increased budget for Horizon Europe in the next MFF, however some of them stressed that the Member States’ share in the allocation of the Framework Programme’s budget diverges greatly. Several ministers stressed the importance of supporting R&I from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), they called for effective synergies between ESIF and the framework programme and easing state aid rules.

The ministers agreed that excellence must stay the guiding principle in the framework programme, because it ensures quality in R&I. However another criteria, namely impact should be reinforced.

The Member States supported the three-pillar structure of Horizon Europe, the introduction of missions and setting up the European Innovation Council (EIC). According to many Member States, collaborative projects should remain in the focus, because they have the biggest European Added Value.

Hungary was represented by Dr. József Pálinkás, President of the National RDI Office of Hungary. In his view more coordination would be needed between the ESIF, the framework programme and the national programmes in order to boost impact of RDI in sectoral policies. Impact is in close relationship with excellence; industry and the society must express their expectations towards science in order to reach impact and exploit the results of R&I projects. He stressed that we should not neglect the role of research infrastructures and their appropriate and sustainable financing. He welcomed the establishment of the EIC but he underscored that it must be linked to the European Research Council (ERC). 

On the occasion of the debate over the future of the European space policy, there was a broad agreement among ministers that the continuity and further development of flagship programmes is a must. The financial source proposed by the Commission within the new MFF to ensure this continuity was welcomed by Member States. Ministers also agreed that communication needs to be reinforced in order to raise awareness about the benefits of the EU space programmes to public authorities, entrepreneurs and citizens alike.

Hungary considers that the proposed level of the 2021-2027 CAP budget is not sufficient. In particular, CAP legislative proposals would increase the administrative burden of farmers and would make the system more demanding than the present one – emphasised Zsolt Feldman, State Secretary of Agriculture after the informal meeting of the EU agricultural ministers in Sofia. 

“Farmers should not be expected to comply with a wider scope of requirements for less subsidy with a legislative framework that is far more complicated than the current one” – declared the State Secretary. Hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency, the informal meeting offered the first opportunity for an exchange of views among agricultural ministers on the legislative proposals of the future CAP which were presented on the 1st of June by the European Commission.

Compared to the current programming period the introduction of the CAP Strategic Plans constitutes a substantial change. The new regulation would cover both direct payments and rural development measures. The so called new delivery model and the strategic planning approach is not consistent with the logic of direct payments and could lead to the increase of the administrative burden both for farmers and Member States – stated the State Secretary. “We will oppose any proposal which would lead to a more complex system. Hungary made an enormous effort to create a simplified agricultural legislative environment and farmer friendly support system” – highlighted the State Secretary.

“It already appears a challenging task to maintain the current level of coupled support for certain sectors – in particular dairy sector, beef and veal, sheepmeat, horticulture and protein crops. In close cooperation with other Member States we will do our best to keep the current support levels” – explained Zsolt Feldman.

At the initiative of the Bulgarian Presidency, agricultural ministers also held an exchange of view on generational renewal. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary emphasised that Hungary has already provided special tools and incentives to young farmers.  Future CAP should provide a wider range of instruments to support young farmers while contributing to the generational renewal.

The revised European rules on the posting of workers do not cover the transport sector. To clarify this issue the European Commission published its I. Mobility Package, which aims to ensure adequate social conditions for drivers as well as a fair and well-functioning single market. It sets out requirements to pursue the occupation of road transport, on the access to the international road haulage market, hauliers’ driving and rest times, tachographs, the enforcement of social rules and special rules for the posting of drivers.

“The Mobility Package places at a disadvantage the Hungarian hauliers, businesses, and in general the Eastern Member States’ workers in Europe with bureaucratic rules, increases the transport costs and undermines the competitiveness of the Union”, indicated the Minister of State for Economic Strategy and Regulation László György on the Transport Council of 7th of June 2018. It was of key importance for Hungary from the outset to reach a deal on a professional basis that is not driven by political ambitions and, taking into consideration the interests of carriers, creates a balance between the freedom to provide services, the free movement of goods and the social protection of workers. László György emphasised furthermore that the adoption of the package would have serious negative consequences on the transport sector.

The ministers examined and adopted a general approach on the Regulation on safeguarding competition in air transport, which aims to ensure fair competition between EU airlines and third countries carriers. In this context Hungary underlined the importance to maintain and further develop the regional connectivity.

The Council also adopted its position on the Directive on port reception facilities, as well as on the Directive on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems and facilitating cross-border exchange of information on the failure to pay road fees in the Union. However no agreement was reached on the Directive on the use of vehicles hired without drivers due to its close connection with the other proposals of the Mobility Package.

The ministers assessed progress on proposals to promote combined transport and clean road transport vehicles, as well as on the Regulation on rail passengers’ rights and obligations.

The Swedish delegation informed the Council on the third high-level dialogue on automated and connected driving which will take place in Gothenburg on 18th and 19th June 2018. Hungary supports the efforts of Member States, the Commission and the European Automobile Industry towards a highly and a fully automated, connected driving. Accordingly we developed the most advanced test track of Middle Europe in Zalaegerszeg, the oval track is currently being built.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a speech at the conference “Budapest Europe-talk”, which was held in the Hungarian capital on Saturday. In his speech he said that the European Commission’s draft for the EU’s next multiannual budget is pro-immigration and pro-migrant, and would give taxpayers’ money to migrants and NGOs. It is as if the draft had been written by George Soros himself, said the Prime Minister, who also stated that in 2019 the Commission must go, and a strong Europe needs strong nation states.

At the conference – held on the first anniversary of the death of former Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl – Mr. Orbán also said that Hungary can offer assistance with joint European policy in a number of fields: it can offer a good example in the sphere of economic reform, and can provide help in transporting migrants back to their home countries. The Prime Minister highlighted that one must export assistance, not import problems.

 

 

He added that Hungary is also able to offer advice if anyone requests it. There is, however, one piece of unsolicited advice that Hungary can give, he said, because it has historical experience of the issue: everyone should be wary of the idea of Islam being part of any European country.

The Prime Minister stated that – in addition to offering an example, help and advice – Hungary must clearly state that it will not give up in the future either, and it will not allow anyone to force anything on it that it does not want.

 

 

He pointed out that if in the course of talks in the EU a satisfactory result cannot be reached, and if there is no acceptance – or even toleration – of one another’s views on migration and the budget, decisions should be delayed until the people have expressed their will in the 2019 elections to the European Parliament. Then, he said, what must be shall be.

He said that in the migrant debate there can be no compromise, but neither is there any need for it.

Speaking about Hungary’s possible role in European politics, Mr. Orbán said that the country is aware of its own strength, influence and mission. As a Member State of the EU it does not aspire to a political role in Europe, he said, adding that “For us Hungary comes first, and neither the country, nor I have – or will have – any such ambition.” The reality, he stated, is ten million citizens, a GDP of EUR 114 billion and fewer than twenty thousand soldiers.

He highlighted that Hungary’s involvement in serious disputes on important issues with Brussels and some Member States has created the tempting illusion that the country can have a significant influence on European politics; but this temptation must be resisted, and efforts must be focused on defending Hungary’s national interests.

The Prime Minister described Hungarians as having self-respect and pride, but also sound self-knowledge and a realistic assessment of their situation. Where they do have strong ambitions, he added, is in Central Europe and the Visegrád Four.

Mr. Orbán said that the Hungarian ambition is to enable Hungary to live in a strong Central European region comprising countries which closely cooperate, and which help and encourage one another. This is where the strength represented by Hungary has influence and importance, he said, adding that Hungary recognises Poland’s determining and leading role in the Central European region, while with its own strength it seeks to guide Central European international relations towards cooperation. He described another ambition of Hungary as promotion of the accession to the European Union of the countries in the Western Balkans – with particular emphasis on the future membership of Serbia. The Prime Minister said that it is Hungary’s ambition to convince the other Member States that the European Union needs this, and that it can gain new resources through further enlargement.

A strong Europe needs strong nation states

Mr. Orbán stressed that Hungary wants a strong Europe, but this “needs strong nation states”, and while the European Union is still rich, now it is weak. In his view the community’s future depends on whether it is able to defend its external borders. If Europe succeeds in defending its borders, the issue will not be the distribution of the migrants arriving in Europe, but the fate of those who are already here. He pointed out that they should not be “distributed, but should be taken back home”.

 

 

 

He said that the draft of the next multiannual EU budget is, in his view, a reflection of the European Commission itself: “pro-immigration and pro-migration”, giving European citizens’ money to migrants and NGOs. “It is as if George Soros himself had written it”, he observed.

The Prime Minister described the past half-decade as the EU’s least successful five years, pointing out that it has not succeeded in defending the continent against migration, that with Brexit “we have lost the United Kingdom”, and that Brussels has upset the balance between the western and eastern halves of the EU.

He added that while the leaders of the European People’s Party have made mistakes “at our expense”, Fidesz will stand by the party family and Helmut Kohl’s ideals, and “instead of desertion, we should take on the more difficult task of renewing the European People’s Party, and helping it to find its way back to its Christian democratic roots”.

despite its achievements, he said, in the past fifteen years the European People’s Party has been slowly but steadily losing strength and influence, the reason being that it has created an “anti-populist people’s front” against newly emerging parties.

The Prime Minister said that the time has come not for an anti-populist people’s front, but for a Christian democratic renaissance, adding that “our left-wing and liberal opponents want to lock us in an intellectual cage”, dictating the topics of the day and what one should think about them. He likened this situation to the tactics used by the communists to eliminate civic parties.

Mr. Orbán identified the EU’s greatest weakness as a lack of internal trust, with the larger states using the European Commission as a tool against the smaller states. Therefore, he said, “in 2019 this Commission must go”.

 

 

 

He also said that Helmut Kohl had a precise understanding of the meaning of equality among the Member States of the European Union, and he valued the friendship of the Hungarian people. Bowing his head in memory of the German politician, he said that Chancellor Kohl’s political will paved the way for Hungary’s return to the community of the European peoples, and his political courage laid the foundations for the reunification of Germany and Europe.

You can read the speech of the Prime Minister here.

(MTI, photo: kormany.hu)

In Budapest on Thursday, after a summit between the Chancellor of Austria and the heads of government of the Visegrád Four (V4 – Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia), Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that the V4 and Austria agree that Europe must be able to defend its borders and must provide security for its citizens.

At the joint international press conference following the summit, Mr. Orbán also said that Europe must be capable of achieving a situation in which relations between the Member States of the European Union are essentially cooperative rather than confrontational.

It follows from this, he continued, that on the issue of migration the emphasis must be placed on points on which the parties can come to an agreement. The Prime Minister mentioned two such issues: border defence and the need to set up external refugee camps outside the EU. “There is no point in forcing issues on which there is no agreement, such as migrant quotas”, the Prime Minister added.

 

 

 

Therefore the Hungarian proposal is that the Member States should solve those issues related to migration which they are able to solve, and should place the emphasis on points on which there is agreement.

Mr. Orbán said that the meeting on Thursday was a special one, firstly because they had the opportunity to play host to Austria’s head of the government, which is always an honour for Hungary.

He said that the visit was, however, more than an honour in a general sense, as the current Austrian chancellor plays a key role in issues on the agenda: migration, the European budget and Central European cooperation.

 

 

 

Prime Minister Orbán said that the meeting was also special because Hungary’s V4 presidency is coming to an end, and the presidency will be taken over by Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini on behalf of Slovakia. Mr. Orbán wished his counterpart success, saying that “there is only one thing that makes one feel better than receiving the presidency: handing it over.”

The Prime Minister said that the V4 had welcomed the Chancellor “in order to hear him tell us about the plans which will guide his leadership of the Council of the European Union in the second half of this year.”

Mr. Orbán stated that the Austrian chancellor’s opinion is all the more important to Hungary because Austria is Hungary’s most important economic partner – not only historically, but right up to the present day. He added that it is in Hungary’s interest for Austria’s presidency to be successful. Hungarian expectations and hopes are high, he said: Hungary hopes that after the Austrian presidency the EU will be a stronger, fairer and safer community than it is today.

 

 

 

He stressed that the V4 and Hungary have always wanted a strong Europe, for which there is a need for good presidents.

The Hungarian prime minister said that the participants did not ignore issues on which there is no agreement between the V4 and Austria: there was open discussion about the issue of nuclear energy and the changes implemented in Austria related to the system of family allowances.

These debates, too, were conducted in a civilised manner, Mr. Orbán stressed, as is appropriate for five serious countries. He said that he is “now more convinced than ever that Central Europe is not simply a part of the European Union, but that its culture and the qualities and courage of its leaders give us every reason to hope that Central Europe will increase rather than diminish the strength of the European Union.”

 

 

 

We are preparing for the rise of Central Europe

“We are preparing for the rise of Central Europe”, the Hungarian prime minister pointed out, adding that “the Slovak presidency of the Council of the European Union will be part of this – as also, I believe, the Austrian presidency will be.” Mr. Orbán said that they had begun and ended the Thursday meeting with high hopes, and he thanked his colleagues for visiting Budapest.

Donald Tusk will visit Budapest, the V4 will not attend the mini-summit on migration

In closing, Mr. Orbán said that Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, will visit Budapest on Friday.

In reference to the informal mini-summit on migration being held in Brussels on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that the V4 agree that the organisation of meetings at the highest level on the issue of migration is the task of the European Council headed by Donald Tusk, and not of the European Commission.

 

 

 

“We understand that in some countries there are internal political difficulties, but this must not be allowed to lead to ill-considered haste at a European level […] and acting in haste will lead to chaos”, Mr. Orbán said, reiterating that the V4’s position is that it is not the European Commission’s task to organise summits for heads of government, but the duty of the President of the Council. The latter had indeed discharged this task, the Prime Minister said, by convening a summit for the following Thursday, which will also deal with the issues of asylum and migration.

Therefore, Mr. Orbán said, the V4 would not be attending the mini-summit on Sunday, but will state their position at the upcoming Brussels meeting the following Thursday.

In addition to Mr. Orbán, the press conference was attended by Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Slovak prime minister Peter Pellegrini and Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

The following documents were published after the meeting:

Visegrád Group and Austria Summit Declaration on „Setting up a mechanism for assistance in protecting the borders of the Western Balkan countries”

„Stronger Together” V4 Joint Statement

(MTI, photo: Károly Árvai, kormany.hu)

On 21 June 2018 the EPSCO Council discussed agenda items relating to employment and social affairs. The head of the Hungarian delegation was Ms Katalin Novák Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs.

The ministers adopted officially the revision of the 96/71/EC posting of workers directive. Hungary and Poland voted against of the directive, Croatia, Latvia and Lithuania abstained. Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania and Portugal made written statements as well, outlining their general concerns and they emphasized the transport aspects of the agreement, especially in light of the still ongoing negotiations on the so-called posting lex specialis proposal.

The Council adopted general approach on the draft regulation on social security coordination, which opens the road towards trilogues with the European Parliament. Hungary, just as the vast majority of the Member States, made it clear, it can not accept indexation of family benefits. Indexation is a seriously discriminative, unfair, unjustified and disproportionate measure, which goes counter the fundamental values of the European Union and questions the achievements of the social security coordination.

The Member States reached agreement on the new coordination rules regarding unemployment benefits. The compromise is considered as a significant improvement compared to the Commission’s original proposal. In the field of aggregating entitlement periods gained in another member state, the risk of benefit loss is excluded, and for frontier workers only 3 months employment will be sufficient for establishing the competence of the Member State of last employment.

The Council also reached general approach on the transparent and predictable working conditions directive.

The Ministers adopted general approach on the directive on work-life balance for parents and carers. On the basis of this mandate, the Council Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter has adopted its position. The Member States reached an agreement ,based on the Romanian proposal, not reduce the length of the non-transferable period of parental leave from 2 month, but the payment or allowance shall be paid by the Member States for a period at least 1.5 months. Hungary underlined that the principle of subsidiarity has utmost importance regarding the proposal. Only solutions are acceptable which ensure the preservation of the rich and successful Hungarian family support system, our values and traditions. Hungary and Poland indicated their abstention, while Denmark and the Netherlands could not support the proposal.

The Ministers held a policy debate on the 2018 European Semester and adopted the country specific recommendations (CSRs) belonging to the EPSCO Council’s remit. They also adopted the revised employment guidelines and the opinions of the Employment (EMCO) and the Social Protection (SPC) Committees about the assessment of the 2018 Country-specific Recommendations (CSRs) and the implementation of the 2017 CSRs.

The Council adopted progress report about the draft regulation on establishing a European Labour Authority and also took stock of progress on the draft directive of equal treatment between persons, irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (Article 19). The Ministers also adopted council conclusions on the future of work: A lifecycle approach; on the Special Report of the European Court of Auditors titled "Free Movement of Workers - the fundamental freedom ensured but better targeting of EU funds would aid worker mobility" and on integrated early childhood development policies as a tool for reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion.

The Ministers had a working lunch about the ESF+ and the revised EGF proposal, titled „Empowering social Europe in contributing to economic and social inclusion”.

At the health EPSCO Council of 22 June Hungary welcomed proposal for amending the regulation on supplementary protection certificates as it introduces a manufacturing waiver for export purposes. We do hope that the discussions will bear fruit in a short time in order to achieve its benefits as soon as possible.

On the other hand, In our view, and taking into account the Commission’s impact assessment, the competitiveness and public health benefits remain might remain limited, because

-             the draft Regulation does not provide for a manufacturing waiver for stockpiling purposes as well, which would allow for actual “day-1 entry”,

-             the transitional measure restricts the application of the waiver to certificates granted on or after the expiry of the third month after the publication of the amending regulation, which means that benefits related to the exception would be delayed by 10-15 years.

Hungary does not deny the importance of innovation, as it is also crucial for our health systems, on the other hand, we should not forget that timely generic entry contributes to the sustainability of national health systems, enhances patient access to new therapies and diversifies supply sources.

We expressed our hope that public health considerations would be duly taken into account during the discussions under the next Presidency and the amendments will be adopted very soon, contributing to a more balanced pharmaceutical market in the EU.

The importance of due attention to be paid to public health aspects was shared by Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Greece, Portugal and Slovakia.

The Council held political debate on the draft regulation on health technology assessment. The Hungarian delegation made it clear, it continues to consider the Commission’s proposal as a negotiating basis and we express our hope that more flexibility could be identified which would increase the Member States' room for manoeuvre.

Ministers also held debate on the future of health in the EU. The delegation agreed on the continued cooperation on several fields where EU level cooperation can bring added value. Hungary particularly values cooperation in the field of health security and cross border public health threats, European Reference Networks, e-health, exchange of best practices in the field of prevention and health promotion and antimicrobial resistance.

Hungary also welcomes the Council conclusions on healthy Nutrition for children.

On the 25th June in Luxemburg, environment ministers gave political directions on water intended for human consumption and adopted Council Conclusion on the Circular Economy Action Plan. In light of transport sector decarbonisation the Council hold a policy debate on the proposal for setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles.

Ministers discussed in the framework of an orientation debate the proposal on recast of the directive of water intended for human consumption. The policy debate focused on two specific issues, namely products in contact with drinking water and provisions aiming at enhancing access to water. On access to water, Institutions recognised that providing access to water for all is essential and committed themselves to the implementation of the relevant Sustainable Development Goal. On the provisions for regulating products in contact with drinking water, similarly to Hungary, most of the Member States expressed that the aim is to provide legislation for products throughout the drinking water supply chain in order to secure the quality of drinking water until the consumer tap.

Following the debate, the delegations adopted the Council Conclusions on delivering on the EU Action Plan for Circular Economy, which represents a collaborative commitment for sustainable development.

Between the AOB points, the Commission provided information on the current legislative proposals, such as regulation on LIFE,-water reuse, environmental reporting obligation, and directive on single use plastics.

The Council hold a policy debate on the Regulation on CO2 standards for cars and vans where the discussion focused on the ambition concerning the 2025 and 2030 emissions reduction targets for cars and vans and the incentives for zero-and low-emission vehicles. Many Member States argued for raising the level of ambition. Hungary emphasized that the automotive industry is a very powerful leading sector in the European Union's economy; it is the engine of economic growth. The automotive industry plays a very important role in the Hungarian economy as well. It is important that we promote and strengthen the competitiveness of the sector in global competition through EU regulation. Hungary believes that achievable, realistic and feasible target is needed. Only a realistic emission reduction target, combined with an appropriate incentive system, will ensure that the competitiveness of the European automotive industry will be maintained.

Commission also presented the initiative on pollinators, and the French delegation supported by Luxembourg drew the Council’s attention to their aims to achieve ambitious results on the COP15 of the Convention on Biodiversity.

The Swedish delegation gave information about their view for the Strategies Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) beyond 2020. They called for Member States to join to a high level global alliance aiming at achieving effective legal regulation and implementation.

The incoming Austrian presidency gave a brief introduction of their planned work programme.

Under the climate-related AOB points, ministers were informed about the new legislative proposal on setting CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles, and the recent international climate meetings.

Coordination took place before the Council meeting for V4 countries and Romania, where ministers discussed their positions on the proposal for water intended for human consumption. Slovakia, as the incoming V4 Presidency country gave information on their presidency programme. Water management will be one of the main topics in the field of environment for the next year.

After the great success of the previous years, the Permanent Representation of Hungary in cooperation with the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Brussels organizes the third HUNGAstRY festival on 8-9 September 2018. The festival will take place in the heart of Brussels, the Parc du Cinquantenaire.

Hungarian musicians, dancers and art performers will be on stage, while visitors will have the chance to taste Hungarian delicacies and look around the art and crafts market.

During the two-day-long festival, performances for young and older will be shown on the main stage, the BM Duna Dance Ensemble, Szabolcs Róka storyteller, Inversdance, The Qualitons, Pankastic and The Carbonfools pop bands will entertain among others.

In addition to the concerts and performances, an interactive exhibition will present the 170-years-old Hungarian Defence Forces, Hungarian wines can be tasted, an adventure game and various game competitions will take place as well.

The aim of the event is to introduce the Hungarian culture to those living in Brussels, should they be locals or expats.

A short teaser  can be watched here: https://www.facebook.com/hungastry/videos/482388775569152/

At a plenary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday, during the debate on the so-called “Sargentini Report” on the state of the rule of law in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told MEPs that “you want to denounce Hungary because the Hungarian people have decided that our homeland will not become an immigrant country.”

“I reject the threats, the blackmail, the slander and fraudulent accusations levelled against Hungary and the Hungarian people by the European Parliament’s pro-immigration and pro-migrant forces ”, he declared.

 

 

 

“Every nation and Member State has the right to decide on how to organise its life in its own country,” he said, adding: “We shall defend our borders, and we alone shall decide who we want to live with. We have built a fence and have stopped the entry of hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants; we have defended Hungary, and we have defended Europe. Today, for the first time in the history of the European Union, we see a community denouncing its own border guards.”

The Prime Minister vowed that “Hungary shall not bow to blackmail: Hungary shall continue to defend its borders, stop illegal immigration and defend its rights – against you, too, if necessary.”

“We Hungarians stand ready for the elections next May, when the people will finally have the chance to decide the future of Europe”, Mr. Orbán emphasised.

“I stand here now and defend my homeland, because to Hungarians freedom, democracy, independence and Europe are matters of honour,” he declared, adding that “This is why I say that the report before you is an affront to the honour of Hungary and the Hungarian people.”

Mr. Orbán reminded the Parliament that Hungary’s decisions are made by the voters in parliamentary elections, and: “What you are claiming is no less than saying that the Hungarian people are not sufficiently capable of being trusted to judge what is in their own interests. You think that you know the needs of the Hungarian people better than the Hungarian people themselves.”

The report does not show respect for the Hungarian people

He noted that the report does not show respect for the Hungarian people, that it applies double standards, is an abuse of power, oversteps the limits on spheres of competence, and the method of its adoption is a treaty violation.

“To us in Hungary, democracy and freedom are not political questions, but moral questions. You now seek to pass moral judgement and stigmatise a country and a people on the basis of a numerical majority. You are assuming a grave responsibility when – for the first time in the history of the European Union – you seek to exclude a people from decision-making in Europe.”

The Prime Minister said that there are – and will continue to be – disputes: on Europe’s Christian character, and the role of nations and national cultures; on the essence and mission of the family; and “we have diametrically opposed views on migration”. He stated, however, that differences cannot be cause for the stigmatisation of any country, or for excluding it from the opportunity of engaging in joint decision-making.

 

 

 

The Prime Minister added that “We would never sink so low as to silence those with whom we disagree.”

The Prime Minister noted that the European Parliament wants to exclude a country that also made clear decisions at previous European Parliament elections. He observed that in 2009 a 56 per cent majority voted for the Government, and in 2014 that majority was 52 per cent, adding that “We are the most successful party in the European Parliament”.

He continued by saying that “Our socialist and liberal opponents are understandably unhappy with our success, but to take revenge on the Hungarians for not voting for them is unfair and un-European.”

In his opinion, the Sargentini Report was written by people who are not even aware of the basic facts: “The report admits that it failed to send a delegation to Hungary, meaning you will be voting without there having been an adequate examination of the facts [and it] includes thirty-seven major factual errors.”

According to the Prime Minister, “Our union is held together by the fact that disputes are resolved within a regulated framework. On behalf of Hungary I, too, have made compromises and concluded agreements with the Commission on the Media Act, on the justice system, and even on certain passages in the Constitution. This report disregards agreements that were concluded years ago. But if you are free to do this and can disregard agreements at will, then what is the point of coming to an agreement with any European institution in the first place? What you are doing strikes a blow against both the European Union and the principle of constructive dialogue.”

The Prime Minister said that in his opinion MEPs had already formed their opinions – with the majority probably voting in favour of the report – and so his speech would not sway them.

Mr. Orbán said that still he went to Strasbourg, because “you are not about to denounce a government, but a country and a people. You will denounce the Hungary which has been a member of the family of Europe’s Christian peoples for a thousand years; the Hungary which has contributed to the history of our great continent of Europe with its work and – when needed – with its blood. You will denounce the Hungary which rose and took up arms against the world’s largest army, against the Soviets, which made the highest sacrifice for freedom and democracy, and – when it was needed – opened its borders to its East German brothers and sisters in distress.”

 

 

 

Hungary has fought for its freedom and democracy, he said, while those who are now accusing Hungary “inherited” democracy and did not have to assume any kind of personal risk to attain freedom. Yet now, the Hungarian prime minister stated, these are the people who want to denounce “the anti-communist Hungarian freedom fighters of Hungary’s democratic resistance.”

The address by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the debate on the so-called “Sargentini Report” is available here. The response to the debate in the plenary session of the European Parliament is here.

(MTI, photo: Balázs Szecsődi)

Following Tuesday’s European Parliament debate on the situation in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that the issue of migration is dividing the European People’s Party (EPP), which is trying to please the social democrats and liberals, so that they can form a new coalition with them following next year’s elections.

In relation to the European People’s Party, the Prime Minister explained that the EPP must “find its way back to the path marked out by the founders and Helmut Kohl, and to the values, directions, courage and character which will ensure that the Christian approach – the Christian conservative approach – also has a party in European politics, and that people who think this way are also represented in Europe. Because that is not the case today”.

 

 

 

Mr. Orbán said that in his opinion the EPP is in trouble: “in recent years we have lost our character and abandoned the teachings of our founding fathers. We have become a European party political family with no character, that has no independent will, that is constantly cautious and measuring its own steps – while to all intents and purposes we are dancing to the tune of the socialists and liberals.” In his opinion the European People’s party only has one goal: “to avoid – heaven forbid – being castigated in the European press or in European forums”.

Speaking about his recent talks with Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini, the Prime Minister said that the defence of borders is not a party political issue, and that “To me and to Hungary it is irrelevant whether a government that wants to protect its borders is to the right of us or to the left of us. The only thing that matters is that it wants to protect Europe’s borders – because those are our common borders.”

 

 

 

He made it clear that he “will always cooperate with all governments – regardless of their party composition – in order for us to be able to jointly protect the borders of Europe ”, adding that “This is all that it is worth knowing about the cooperation between the Hungarian government and the Italian government”.

Mr. Orbán called the European Parliament debate on the Sargentini Report “absurd”, arguing: “A few months ago – perhaps five months ago, in April – there was an election in Hungary. The Hungarian people decided what should happen, and during the election campaign we discussed all of the issues – including CEU, the NGOs, and all of the important political issues. And the people decided on these issues. And now the European Parliament is taking upon itself the task of overruling the decision made by the people of Hungary, and forcing the Hungarian government to implement what they are attempting to impose on us in place of the people’s decision.”

 

 

 

According to the Hungarian prime minister, “in communist times we were spoken to like that – in the style that some people indulged in today. Sermonising, threats and exclusion from the world of civilised people is the communist style – even if we are not in the Soviet Union, but the European Parliament.”

(MTI, photo: Balázs Szecsődi, )

On 27 September 2018 the Competitiveness Council discussed agenda items relating to industry and internal market. The Hungarian delegation was led by Mr László György Minister of State for Economic Strategy and Regulation, Ministry for Innovation and Technology.

The permanent competitiveness “check-up” agenda item focused on regional dimension for Competitiveness Policy. In its presentation the Commission highlighted the importance of regional convergence as a factor contributing to the overall increase of productivity growth and competitiveness.

State Secretary Mr László György acknowledged the importance of regional aspects in productivity development. As the Friends of Cohesion Conference – held in Budapest the week before – confirmed, the cohesion and structural funds are still vital in our region. Mr György also pointed out that the coordination of EU sectoral policies, what we usually refer to as “mainstreaming”, is no less relevant at regional level. It has been our long-standing position that legislations covering areas such as climate, environment, energy, transport have to be aligned with competitiveness objectives.

As a follow up of the fruitful discussions at the Informal Meeting of Competitiveness Ministers (Internal Market and Industry) in Vienna on 15-16 July 2018, the ministers continued the in-depth discussion on reinforced industrial strategy for the EU focusing on areas like digitalization, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) and their significant effect on the nature of employment and growth. The Member States welcomed the Commission’s AI initiatives (strategy and the preparatory work on an action plan) and agreed that increasing investment and reinforcing ICT education and training. Some delegations were also vocal about the need for an open data policy approach, as data is the most important raw material for AI. In his intervention Mr László György argued the ongoing industrial transformation is expected to have significant social consequences (such as job losses and job creation), therefore it is pressing to create balance between technological trends and social factors in the framework of the new European Industrial Strategy. As a solution to this challenge, he added, Hungary regards as a priority the higher participation of the EU13 countries in the Horizon Europe Programme, and at the same time the weight of cohesion policy tools should be reserved, too – focusing on education, reskilling and training. He also announced that Hungary had decided to join to the Euro HPC Joint Undertaking.

On 10th of October 2018, a lunch debate took place at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU on the draft regulation on manufacturing waiver related to supplementary patent protection certificates. The event was organized by Antall József Knowledge Center and gathered speakers from a wide range spectrum in order to present the issue from different perspectives.

The debate was moderated by Xavier Seuba, Associate Professor of Law at University of Strasbourg.

The first speaker was MEP György Hölvényi, member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee. The MEP recognized the beneficial economic effects linked to the Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPC) waiver, at the same time he also expressed the wish of maximizing attainable benefits for patients. For this purpose, he considered that stockpiling possibility enabling immediate access on patent expiry (day one entry stockpiling) and a shorter transitional period ending in 2021 is indispensable.

The Commission’s proposal allows the waiver only for third country markets where no IP protection prevails, and would be applicable only 10-15 year after the entry into force.

Christine Dawson director of the European Social Insurance Platform (ESIP) endorsed the position expressed by the Hungarian government at the last June Health EPSCO Council. According to ESIP, day one entry stockpiling and shorter transitional period is a key to provide access to patients to medicines and to enable healthcare payers to finance the healthcare system in a sustainable way.

Maximilian von Olenhousen head of Novartis EU relations presented the position of European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). The director underlined the importance of maintaining a European economic ecosystem that supports innovation and can keep talent on the continent. He expressed the hope that the forthcoming Commission will apply a systematic approach at EU level to promote biotech clusters. Innovation is crucial for patients in order that they can have access to new therapies and diagnostics.

Sergio Napolitano Legal and External Relations Director of Medicines of Europe shared the importance of patients’ access to medicines. From this perspective, it is critical that manufacturing capacities remain in the EU, otherwise we can easily confront medicines shortages. He referred to the Commission’s Impact Assessment which points out that day-one entry stockpiling could secure further 4% savings in health related public expenditures (this is why it is surprising that the Commission discarded this policy option). Shorter transitional period is also needed to apply the waiver, and notification obligations should not prevent the efficient application of the new rules.

After the questions and answers session, deputy permanent representative Tibor Stelbaczky concluded the debate. The Ambassador highlighted that pharmaceuticals are not everyday consumer products and are fundamental elements of the healthcare system. This is why it is important that besides innovation timely access and sustainability is ensured. With the day-one entry stockpiling and a shorter transitional period the full public health potential in the SPC waiver could be exploited.

The budget for the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) should be maintained at current level in order to fulfil the ambitious goals of the policy – emphasized Zsolt Feldman state secretary for agriculture at the high level conference on the future of the EU budget in Brussels on the 12th of October. With the help of the CAP, European farmers are providing healthy, high quality and safe foodstuff for 500 million European citizens day by day in a great variety, in sufficient quantities and in reasonable prices. “Decreasing CAP funds implies the risk of higher food prices, less variety or less quality.” – highlighted the state secretary for agriculture.

Besides decreasing the funds, the European Commission is proposing to comply with more ambitious environmental and climate conditions. “Hungary agrees with the approach that the CAP should do more to in the field of environment and mitigating climate change, but the proposed budget and the level of ambition are not equal. We cannot do more from less!” – emphasized the state secretary. Complying with more ambitious “green” objectives should not endanger farmers’ income stability and should not restrict their competitiveness. High quality foodstuff produced in the EU should not be substituted with foodstuffs imported from third countries, which are produced in a non-sustainable way.  

Hungary is interested in adopting a new Multiannual Financial Framework, which provides appropriate funding for traditional policies. Zsolt Feldman recalled that the Hungarian Government was among the firsts to declare its willingness to contribute more to the EU budget.