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“European security now begins in Africa, and there is no global challenge that does not involve both countries simultaneously”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in Brussels following a ministerial level meeting between the European Union and the African Union.

At a short press conference, the Minister reported on the fact that in addition to economic cooperation, all those who made speeches at the session also dealt with the issue of migration.

“Migration cooperation should not serve the goal of enabling as many people as possible to leave Africa, but be should instead work of creating condition thanks to which nobody, if possible is forced to leave their home because of their living conditions and as many as possible are able to stay at home, ideally everybody”, he stressed.

During the course of this it must be made clear, however, what everyone means by the importance, nature and goal of cooperation, and in addition, having drawn the conclusions from the debate on the UN Global Compact for Migration, it must be determined in every case, even if only in a footnote, that immigration is not a fundamental human right”, Mr. Szijjártó underlined.

He highlighted the fact that migration “bears with it extremely serious security risks”, and not only for target countries, but also with respect to source and transit countries, and states have the right to not belong to any of these categories.

He pointed out that Europe must help to create and reinforce the economic, political, legal and security stability of African countries.

With relation to this, he told reporters that he will be visiting Tunisia on Wednesday in view of the fact that the local authorities have asked Hungary to provide assistance towards the reinforcement of their border protection capabilities, and according to the Hungarian Government the prime requisite for the stability of North African states is that they must be able to protect their borders.

In addition, Mr. Szijjártó stressed that it is important to help young Africans acquire competitive knowledge, and drew attention to the fact that there are currently 1422 African students attending Hungarian universities, 895 within the framework of the Government’s scholarship programme, who on returning home will contribute to a more favourable future for their respective countries.

In closing, the Minister said that following Nigeria, Hungary is now also supporting Christian communities and the improvement of living conditions for Christian refugees in Congo, Ethiopia and Uganda within the framework of the Hungary Helps Programme.

In reply to a question from the press, the Minister informed the press that no representatives of the Hungarian Government will be taking part in next week’s European parliament debate on the situation in Hungary.

“There is an election campaign underway; we will leave the theatricals to those who want to take part I them”, he said.

Hungarian news agency MTI asked the Minister about the proposal put forward by his Polish counterpart, according to which a five-year deadline would be set for the application of the so-called Northern Ireland Reserve Solution, thus resolving the existing paralysis with relation to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.

“Everyone has the right to put forward proposals, and we respect his opinion, but all decisions must be made by the 27 EU member states, while striving to achieve unity, if possible”, he stated.

On Monday, Mr. Szijjártó held bilateral talks with the foreign ministers of Botswana and Sierra Leone, and on Tuesday with the head diplomats of Mali and Ghana.

(MTI/Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

“The pro-immigration forces cannot be allowed to win at the ministerial session of the so-called Budapest Process in Istanbul on Wednesday, and in fact this Process will be a symbol of the fact that we are stopping the advance of the forces that are supporting migration”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in Brussels on Monday in the recess of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

In a statement to Hungarian reporters, Mr. Szijjártó stressed that Hungary will not be giving its name or support to any European-level policy that could result in the invitation of further migrants, and accordingly at the Istanbul meeting of the Budapest process, which was established in 1993 and focuses on migration issues relating to the Silk Road region of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq and Iran, there will be no joint EU standpoint, which in his opinion would clearly have been a statement that supports migration and inspires the development of new channels of migration. “We believe that a decision on migration can only be brought once, because if a country allows the mass settlement of migrants, there is no going back” he stated.

“Hungary is sticking to its policy, according to which it will continue to protect its southern border with a fence, despite the fact that there are those who want to demolish it”, he said. The Minister drew attention to the fact that First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, who is arguing against the fence, and who was in Budapest over the weekend at the invitation of the socialists, is one such person. “This means that the forces that wish to bring migrants into Europe have also united in Hungary, but Hungary will continue to stand up to this pressure in future”, Mr. Szijjártó underlined.

He highlighted the fact that the international coalition organised to combat the Islamic State has achieved significant military success, but that it must also be taken into account that the terrorist organisation has switched tactics and is continuously attempting to send the some five thousand mercenary terrorists, who previously travelled from Europe to the Middle East or North Africa to join the fight, back to Europe. “For this reason, the protection of Europe’s external borders must be maintained extremely strictly, and similar action must be taken with relation to countries along the Western Balkan migration route”, he declared. Mr. Szijjártó said waves of migration are not only capable of destabilising transit and target countries, but also source countries, and accordingly it is important that the EU should not concentrate on inviting the citizens of countries that are in a difficult position, but should instead set economic development goals that are capable of helping Africa to increase it population retention capability parallel to its increasing population.

With relation to the first EU-Arab League summit scheduled to be held in Egypt on 24-25 February, the Minister said the closing statement of the meeting will not include any kind of reference to the UN Global Compact for Migration and Global Compact on Refugees. “The text will, however, clearly include the Hungarian priorities that refer to national competencies, and which highlight the need to fight against people smuggling and illegal migration”, he said. Mr. Szijjártó added that Hungary is providing all possible assistance towards the improvement of conditions in Syria in the interests of enabling refugees to return to their homes, to alleviate migration pressure on Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. As he explained, Hungary has confirmed its joint intent with Poland to begin the renovation of an orphanage in the Syrian city of Homs, which is capable of caring for 130 children. In addition, Hungary has undertaken to pay the operational costs of three Syrian hospitals for a year and is helping three Syrian Christian communities with some 4 million euros in aid so that thousands more people do not set out for Europe.

With relation to Ukraine, the Minister said that at the meeting, Romania, Italy and Greece, amongst others, had also raised the issue that with relation to minorities Kiev must be expected to fulfil its undertakings and abide by European regulations. “Hungary has made it clear that it is cause for concern not simply with relation to the Hungarian national community, but also from the perspective of respecting European values, if Ukrainian Parliament adopts the Language Act in its current form, since it makes the use of minority languages in culture, the media and public administration impossible. Additional, in their current form, Ukraine’s public administration reform plans would make the political representation of minorities impossible”, he explained.

(MTI)

“There is proof that the UN Global Compact for Migration has committed supporters who want to make it legally mandatory for all European Union member states”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in the recess of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.

“A secret document has been made public, according to which the Legal Service of the European Commission is working on determining what legal references can be used to enable the Compact for Migration to be made mandatory. Brussels’ most serious lie has come to light, in view of the fact that there are major and committed efforts ongoing to find a legal basis for stating, using a ‘long and convoluted’ legal argument, that the Global Compact for Migration is mandatory for member states after all”, the Hungarian Foreign Minister emphasised.

“Although the document, which includes the word mandatory some eighty times, was not made public according to the intent of the European Commission, the Commission has admitted its existence”, the Minister stated. “It is Hungary’s clear belief that the Compact cannot be legally binding in any shape of form”, he added.

Mr. Szijjártó also said that, amongst others, the European Commission would also like to ensure that EU development policy is implemented based on the goal of the Global Compact for Migration. This means that taxpayers’ money must be spent on funding that inspires migration processes, in the form of development funding. It also includes the fact that member states must contribute to the realisation of the EU’s goals, including the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.

“Brussels wants the contents of the document to be legally mandatory”, he highlighted. “It is evident that there are supporters and implementors of the Global Compact for Migration in Brussels, because “such legal opinions are rarely prepared without being ordered or without a task being set”, he said. “This means that the battle is not over, and in fact a new battle is beginning against Brussels’ secret pro-immigration plans”, he stated.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)

“There is a new political situation on the continent; the status quo has been disrupted following the European Parliament (EP) elections”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in the recess of a meeting of EU ministers discussing international trade issues in Brussels on Monday.

At his press conference, the Minister reported on the fact that a new situation has definitely come about in view of the fact that during the upcoming term it will no longer be sufficient for the leaders of the two largest party groups, the People’s Party and the Social Democrats, to get together and conclude their own agreements, and the main dividing lines will no longer be between party families, but concerning concrete issues, and particularly migration.

He pointed out that huge debates will begin from today within the European Union, primarily with relation to the posts to be filled, and then policy issues.

He stressed that the Hungarian Government does not regard any of the top candidates as being suitable to be the President of the European Commission, but hopes that suitable persons will arise during the course of negotiations.

Mr. Szijjártó said it was important for the Central European region, which provides the engine of European growth, to also be represented with sufficient weight among the European Union’s leading officials, and underlined that Hungary will only support candidates “that believe in a strong EU built on strong member states, and are prepared to give priority to Christian culture, and who want to stop migration, not organise it”.

“Excluding the Maltese governing party, Fidesz won the EU elections with the greatest majority, followed by other strongly anti-immigration parties such as Law end Justice (PiS), the Austrian Peoples Party (ÖVP) and the Italian Northern League party”, he highlighted.

He added the Fidesz was by far the most successful member of the European People’s Party in addition to providing the third highest number of MEPs, and in his opinion this fact should be taken into account during debates on the party family’s future political line.

The Minister also spoke about the topic of the meeting, stressing that due to its nature the outbreak of any kind of trade war and the introduction of any restrictive measures goes against Hungary’s interests. “Hungary is competitive, and accordingly it is also in its interests for the global economy to be as free as possible; it has nothing to fear in this regard”, he stated.

Mr. Szijjártó said that in his opinion the EU is not capable of adapting rapidly enough to the continuous changes occurring within the global economy, and consequently major reforms will be necessary. He said it is impossible that it takes many long years to conclude and implement certain free trade agreements, when in fact the number of such agreements needs to be significantly increased.

With relation to the transatlantic trade conflict, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said the EU official responsible reported on the fact that Washington has no intention of entering into negotiations on breaking down industrial tariffs, which in Mr. Szijjártó’s opinion is bad news, but not surprising in view of the fact that this was also mentioned by the U.S. President, “who is famous for implementing his election promises”.

“There should have been less hysteria at the beginning, then we might be in a better situation”, he said, underlining the fact that negotiations must be conducted in such a manner that they don’t worsen relations.

(MTI)

What is at stake in the European parliamentary elections is whether we will succeed in breaking the pro-immigration elite’s hegemony as Hungary takes the view that we must put an end to the Brussels policy which has far removed itself from the will of the European people, Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State for European Union Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office said in Brussels after the Tuesday meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council.

He stated that we need leaders who respect the will of the Member States, who understand the electors’ concerns and intentions, and who are able to give genuine answers to the problems that emerge. We need a Europe in which each nation itself decides whether it wishes to build its future on immigration or a successful family policy.

The Minister of State expressed hope that after the elections a political map will evolve in the European Union which is based on mutual respect and the acceptance of national interests, and an environment will come into being where it is possible to conduct a constructive debate on the future of the European people.

He underlined that, according to Hungary’s position, the right of the management of migration should be taken away from the politically biased European Commission, and should be returned to the Member States. In his view, to this end, a new council formation comprised of the Schengen Area’s interior ministers should be set up for the management of migration.

The institutional balance within the EU must be restored so that the European Commission cannot extend beyond its own powers, and with a view to this the decisions of the European Council, which consists of the heads of state and government of EU Member States, must be respected at every level of EU decision-making, he underlined.

He also said that Hungary insists on maintaining the unanimous adoption of decisions in the field of foreign policy.

“We do not accept international pacts being forced upon us with decisions adopted with a qualified majority, decisions that may be contrary to our national interests,” he stressed.

According to Mr Takács’s information on the EU’s seven-year budget from 2021, Hungary shares the view that the achievements of the Schengen system must be restored, and the cohesion and agricultural grants which ensure the competitiveness of the EU and the single market must be maintained. At the same time, adequate funding most be allocated within the EU budget for stopping the flow of migration heading for Europe.

Mr Takács underlined that the decision of the European Commission led by Jean-Claude Juncker which prevented the EU integration of the Western Balkans region was extremely harmful. He said Hungary insists that in the future enlargement should emerge as a strategic issue among the EU’s political priorities, which is likewise connected to the sustainable management of migration, he added.

The Minister of State finally highlighted that in the European parliamentary elections the people will be given an opportunity to state their opinion on European integration, the European Union, its past five years, and also its future. He expressed hope that the people will clearly state their opinion on the problems related to immigration and terrorism, among other things, and that they will make a responsible decision on the continent’s future ethnic composition.

(MTI)

The European Parliament’s pro-immigration majority are seeking to have Hungary condemned on the basis of trumped-up charges. The fact that the procedure under Article Seven is not making any progress in the council comprised of the governments of Member States also testifies to this, the Minister of State for European Union Relations at the Prime Minister’s Office stated on Tuesday.

Judit Varga attended the council meeting of the Member States’ ministers responsible for European Union affairs which was held in Luxembourg. The procedure instituted against Hungary due to the state of the rule of law was on the agenda again, for the fifth time now.

She pointed out that also on this occasion no hearing took place, only the situation was evaluated in some fashion, following which some Member States attempted to induce the Romanian Presidency of the EU to move the procedure to the next phase, but this was not supported by the majority of attendees.

The Minister of State repeatedly highlighted that in her opinion the procedure is nothing more than the exertion of political pressure in order to make the Hungarian government abandon its anti-migration policy.

She pointed out that the council presidency finds it hard to manage the EP’s “forceful attempts contrary to the provisions of the Treaties,” the fact that as the elections are approaching the green party Judith Sargentini – the author of the special report on Hungary – and her associates are making “ever more frustrated” attempts in this phase of the procedure.

She said it is nothing more than a farce that “Sargentini and her associates openly take offence and are not prepared” to accept the presidency’s invitation to an informal consultation as their goal is to be allowed to attend the council meeting.

Mrs Varga said the government is ready to take part in a fair procedure because “when it comes to facts or legal details, the pro-immigration majority are left without munitions”.

While several Member States support the idea of the EP, which initiated the procedure under Article Seven, being allowed to present its position, in October the Legal Service of the Council concluded that in their opinion the Parliament has no further role in this stage.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)

Hungary will not stand in the way of any constructive agreement regarding the possible further extension of the deadline for the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union if this gives a chance for Britain’s settled exit with an agreement, Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State of the Prime Minister’s Office told Hungarian journalists in an interview given by telephone on Tuesday. 

The issue of migration continues to influence the policy and operation of the European Union, the debate continues to focus on immigration, Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office stated on Tuesday in Brussels.

After the meeting of the European affairs ministers of EU Member States, talking to Hungarian journalists the Minister of State stressed that the European Commission attempts to create the impression in vain that the migration crisis has come to an end; whether explicitly or implicitly, the topic of migration is on the agenda of every EU meeting.

One of the Commission’s pro-immigration documents which has recently been released to the public itself indicates that the EU continues to maintain that rather than stopping migration, it should be managed. It shows that the Commission continues to have a vested interest in creating legal pathways to enable masses to migrate to Europe, he said.

“Hungary is unable to support the idea that we should promote the integration of immigrants from the common EU financial framework instead of taking into consideration the interests and security of the European people,” he said.

He further highlighted that by significantly cutting agricultural grants, the EU would take money away from the poorer regions, and at the end of the day, from the European people. Hungary shares the view that the EU’s common budget can only finance goals on which there is a consensus among the Member States. Hungary continues to maintain that trouble should not be brought to Europe, but help should be taken to the regions which qualify as the countries of origin of migration. Any relevant substantial funds should only be used for protecting the borders of the Member States and for a mechanism which stops migration, he underlined.

Regarding the upcoming cessation of Britain’s EU membership, he pointed out that Hungary’s most important governmental goal had been achieved: we managed to protect our citizens’ rights both for the event of a soft Brexit and a Brexit without an agreement.

In the context of the United Kingdom, the Hungarian government is able to support all constructive proposals which permit a later exit for Britain resulting in an agreement. As regards the future, close trade and economic cooperation with Britain and guaranteeing Europe’s security are common interests, he said.

The Minister of State said concerning the functioning of the EU’s internal market that Hungary believes that we need a sincere dialogue regarding the functioning of the single market as several Western European Member States support an approach which only takes the enforcement of their own economic interests into consideration. Hungary and the Central European region are unable to support this as economic and social integration backed by the cohesion policy is a value which enhances the competitiveness of the entire European Union, he underlined.

Mr Takács also said that as regards the European parliamentary (EP) elections due to be held at the end of May, Hungary has a vested interest in anti-immigration political forces obtaining a majority as these are the forces that focus on the EU’s core values and security.

(MTI)

After meeting his EU counterparts, Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, said that the European Commission’s immediate attack on the Hungarian government’s latest information campaign is yet more proof of the link between the Commission and the Soros network.

For the fourth time, the agenda for the meeting between Member States’ ministers for EU affairs included discussion of the Article 7 rule of law procedure against Hungary.

Mr. Takács reported that Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of the Commission, raised the issue of the Hungarian government’s campaign under the wrong agenda item, ignoring the rules of procedure, “having lost his self-control, and practically shouting”.

“The cat is out of the bag,” Mr. Takács said.

The Minister of State for EU affairs at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office called the Dutch commissioner the lead candidate of the “Brussels bureaucracy and the pro-migration elite”.

He stated that this elite want to turn the European Union into an immigrant continent – a mission in which they have found a partner in the Hungarian opposition. In order to win, he said, they are even willing to accept that the “Hungarian socialists have entered an alliance with the extreme racist and anti-Semitic party that is Jobbik.”

Mr. Takács added that Mr. Timmermans seeks to give the impression that he can represent the Commission impartially, but the remarks he made at the meeting burned with his hostility towards the Hungarian government.

“Mr. Timmermans’ performance today provides clear proof that he regularly meets George Soros and the NGOs supported by the Soros network,” the Minister of State said, adding that “This is the most tangible evidence that what we are saying is reality.”

Reacting to the allegations made by the Commission’s Vice-President during the meeting, Mr. Takács said the following: “With his antics today – especially after his campaign performance in Budapest this weekend – Frans Timmermans has proved that he is unable to separate his role in the Commission from his political ambitions; therefore, as the Hungarian government has requested, he should suspend his activities in the Commission.”

“The EU institutions that have been taken over by pro-migration forces fear that during the European Parliament elections the anti-migration forces will gain in strength”, Mr. Takács observed, “and therefore they are trying everything they can to force their policies onto Member States. They are subjecting countries opposing this to political blackmail, financial threats and manipulative pressure.”

During a joint press conference, Judit Varga, Minister of State for relations with the European Union at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, called the meeting “another Soros séance”.

“The campaign by pro-migration politicians is continuing, the pressure is increasing, and they are ever more aggressively attacking Hungary on account of its anti-migration policy,” she added, referring also to politicised procedures and double standards.

In response to a question from MTI, she said that press statements issued to date indicate that the Finnish presidency of the EU – which starts in July – clearly has an interest in speeding up the Article 7 procedure.

She added that, for example, no one is talking about how, during his visit to Budapest the previous weekend, Frans Timmermans condoned the Hungarian “post-communist left’s partnership with anti-Semites”.

(MTI)

Hungary has repeatedly made it clear that it does not wish to become an immigrant country; it insists on the right of citizens of the EU to designate the new directions for the EU’s migration policy on the occasion of the EP elections due to be held in May, Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office told Hungarian journalists by telephone after the meeting of the General Affairs Council on Tuesday. 

Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia have joined together in drawing attention to potential negative impacts that the new European legislation may have for the European hauliers and the competitiveness of road transport.

The ministers and high-level representatives expressed their concerns during the debate held at the Transport Council in Luxembourg on 6 June. They stressed that during the process of negotiating the Mobility Package I, the need to introduce solutions enhancing the functioning of the single market has not been duly considered. As a result, Europe is on its path to adopting long-term measures that not only will not strengthen the EU road sector but will create barriers to the free movement of goods and provision of services, hence harming the European economy in general.

From the point of view of Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia, the current drafts of the Package I (both adopted in the Council and in the European Parliament) do not substantially improve working conditions of drivers as initially intended but focus rather on regulating transport operations and movement of trucks across the EU. Moreover, the measures are not balanced from the social and market perspectives, they have clear negative impact on environmental goals and do not reflect particularities of road transport operations in all Member States.

Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia have pleaded for a proper assessment of all measures to be agreed in the framework of the Mobility Package I to ensure that they will improve working conditions of the European drivers, while bringing the expected added value for the EU road transport market.

On 14 June 2019, Ildikó Horváth minister of state for health participated at the health EPSCO Council, where the delegations held policy debate on how to promote investments from EU funds with the aim of transforming and improving health systems. Ildikó Horváth informed her colleagues that in the course of the 2014-2020 development cycle Hungary allocated considerable amounts for healthcare investments targeting infrastructural and healthcare workforce related purposes. EU funding helped digital transformation, prevention and screening. Our primary purpose is to reinforce primary care, to improve health-awareness of Hungarian people, to facilitate access to prevention services and to mitigate healthcare workforce shortages. The minister of state underlined that the level of funding from structural funds should remain as it is today and she highlighted the importance of increasing the participation of Central and Eastern Member States in Horizon research programmes. Hungary values the great variety of financing mechanisms as they offer connecting flexibilities, nevertheless there is room for improvement in the field of information flow among the management of the specific funds.

The EPSCO adopted conclusions on antimicrobial resistance and discussed the outstanding issues related to the implementation of the medical devices regulation. The Commission provided updates on the measles epidemics and the Presidency reported on the progress made in the discussion of proposal on health technology assessment.

In Brussels on Friday Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told journalists that Manfred Weber and Frans Timmermans have failed in their bids to become President of the European Commission. He described this as good news for Hungary, because the Hungarian people did not want them.

Speaking about the EU summit which began on Thursday, the Prime Minister said that “we’ve taken important steps forward”.

He pointed out that in the European Parliament election in Hungary the Government had received strong support of 53 per cent, which he said is “unprecedented, and almost no one in Europe has that kind of support”. He had therefore made ambitious commitments, he said, citing as an example his statement that with this support he would be able to prevent the European Union from electing leaders who support immigration. He added that he had also undertaken to ensure that the EU would not have leaders who “don’t give Hungary and the Central European countries the respect they deserve”.

 

 

He stressed that he had successfully delivered on these two undertakings on Thursday, as “the lead candidates – Mr. Weber and Mr. Timmermans – fell”, because they did not meet either of the two requirements he had laid out. He declared that “their departure is good news for Hungary.”

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI, photo: Balázs Szecsődi)

On 26 June, environment ministers discussed, amongst others water reuse, chemicals and climate change when meeting in Luxemburg for the last Environment Council under the Romanian Presidency.

The EU is taking new measures to reduce the risk of shortages of water for irrigating crops. The Council agreed its position (general approach) on a regulation which facilitates the use of urban waste water for agricultural irrigation. These new rules are fully in line with the circular economy, and will improve the availability of water and encourage its efficient use. Mr. András Rácz, State Secretary for Environment welcomed the general approach, that will help Europe adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Ministers adopted conclusions offering political guidance on the development of a sustainable EU chemicals policy strategy. The conclusions address a wide range of topics of chemicals (e.g. REACH, endocrine disruptors, nanomaterials and pharmaceuticals), while urging the Commission to develop without further delay, a Union strategy for a non-toxic environment.

The Presidency informed ministers on the state of play of political and expert level discussions on a strategic long-term vision for a climate neutral economy. The discussions will continue under the Finnish Presidency. The Commission presented its Communications and recommendations on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plans for 2021-2030. Member States have to improve and finalize their plans by the end 2019 based on the Commission’s recommendations.

The Presidency also informed ministers on the state of play of the legislative proposal on monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport. The Netherlands delegation briefed ministers on a recent high-level conference on carbon pricing and aviation taxes organized in The Hague on 20-21 June. The Bulgarian delegation drew attention to the uneven development of infrastructure across the European Union regarding electromobility. In this context, it presented possible European measures to support clean mobility, especially electromobility. The Bulgarian delegation proposed to establish a European Clean Mobility Fund, in addition to the existing EU financial instruments.

In an interview with Hungarian news channel M1 on Tuesday, after a meeting of the European Council which decided on the allocation of leadership posts for the institutions of the European Union, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that grave errors have been made in the European Union over the past few years. He said that all of these errors must be corrected. 

The Prime Minister said that in the EU there are problems related to economic policy, migration policy and the level of respect accorded to nations, and that therefore there is much work to be done. He added that now, however, the chances of solving these problems have greatly improved.

Mr. Orbán noted that the foregoing negotiations had been tense, due to the high stakes involved: decisions needed to be made on who will lead European Union institutions over the coming years, this will determine many things, and it will be important for every Member State.

He described the question as being whether or not positions would be given to politicians who like and respect Hungary, who know the history of Central Europe, who appreciate the importance of Christian culture, and whose view of migration coincides with that of Hungarians: that it is a threat.

The Prime Minister stated that therefore important matters of content were also addressed when making decisions on nominees for leading positions.

He stressed that “We were able to remain true to our initial position, the one which we had agreed on”, adding that the proposed leaders of the EU institutions will pursue policies which are good for Hungary – or at least there is a good chance that they will do so.

The Prime Minister observed, however, that the work ahead “is not inconsequential and not easy”, and that it is only just starting.

Mr. Orbán stressed that there continue to be differences, and so there will be struggles in the future. He said that an important victory had been won, but in international politics new disputes are always emerging. Nevertheless, he added, now Central Europeans and Hungarians “also have strength” to assert their will.

The Prime Minister stressed that, even apart from its most recent achievements, the Central European region and the Visegrád Four (the V4 nations of Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) has a prominent role. He described this alliance as a success story, highlighting the fact that there are also other groups of countries which cooperate with one another, but at present none of them display as much solidarity as the members of the V4.

The Prime Minister stated that credit for this is due to the Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš – who this year is president of the Visegrád Four – for keeping the V4 alliance together, even throughout debates on such difficult issues.

He also stressed the following: collectively the V4 leaders represent 62 to 63 million people; the Visegrád alliance’s volume of trade with the German economy is higher than that of France or Italy; and the region has both the EU’s highest economic growth rate and its fastest declining unemployment rate.

The Prime Minister said that two politicians had been considered for the position of President of the European Commission who “would have been more than bad” for Hungary, as they had proved that they do not respect Hungary and the Hungarian people.

The nomination of these two politicians had been blocked, he said, and instead of them the nominee is a German mother of seven: Ursula von der Leyen. Mr. Orbán said that this in itself indicates that change can be expected in Europe.

(MTI)

The European Commission has today announced the 13th edition of its annual Juvenes Translatores competition for secondary-school students from across Europe. As of 2 September, schools from all EU Member States will be able to register online so their students can compete with peers from across Europe. This year, the participating teenagers will have to translate a text on the topic of what young people can do to help shape the future of Europe.

European Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger in charge of budget, human resources and translation said: ‘In Europe, we are happy to speak and understand each other in a few dozen different languages. It is great to see that young people appreciate the benefits of mastering foreign languages and are hungry to learn more. I encourage them to take part in this year's Juvenes Translatores competition and showcase their impressive language skills.'

Participants will be able to translate between any two of the EU's 24 official languages (552 possible language combinations). At last year's edition of the competition, students used a total of 154 language combinations.

Registration for schools — the first stage of the two-phase process — is open until 20 October 2019 at noon. The registration form can be completed in any of the EU's 24 official languages.

Then the European Commission will invite 751 schools to the next stage. The number of participating schools from each country will be equal to the number of seats the country has in the European Parliament, with the schools selected randomly by computer.

The schools chosen must then nominate 2-5 students to take part in the contest. The students can be of any nationality but all from the same year group, born in 2002.

The contest will take place on 21 November 2019 simultaneously in all participating schools. From this year on, the contest will be run online.

The winners — one per country — will be announced by early February 2020. They will receive their prizes in the spring of 2020 at a special ceremony in Brussels.

During their visit to the Belgian capital, students will have the chance to meet professional translators from the European Commission's translation department — the people who evaluated their translations — and talk about working with languages.

Background

The Commission's Directorate-General for Translation has organised the Juvenes Translatores (Latin for ‘young translators') contest every year since 2007. The contest promotes language learning in schools and gives young people a taste of what it is like to be a translator. It is open to 17-year-old secondary school students and takes place on the same date and at the same time in all selected schools across the EU.

The contest has inspired and encouraged some participants to continue with language learning at university level and to become professional translators. The competition also provides an opportunity to emphasise Europe's rich linguistic diversity.

https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-5491_en.htm

The Transport Council held an extensive policy debate on how to decarbonise transport in order to combat climate change and meet the Paris Agreement objectives.

The debate built on the European Commission communication 'A Clean Planet for all - a European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy', published in November 2018.

To reflect the importance of the subject, separate sessions were dedicated to land transport (road, rail), aviation and shipping.

Most ministers acknowledged that we needed to do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to stop global warming and the transport sector must, and will, play a crucial role. There is a willingness across Member States to make the most of a wide range of options: technological options, political options, changing our behaviour.

No single solution is enough, but with the right policy mix and by embracing the opportunities provided by innovation and digitalisation, we will get there. Strong climate action is supported by Europeans, and is a top priority for the Finnish presidency. Our discussion today provides a good basis for further work towards carbon-free mobility and a carbon-neutral society.

Minister of State, Mr László Mosóczi, and head of the Hungarian delegation, pointed out that achieving climate neutrality in transport is a major challenge, which requires increased efforts from the Member States. In connection with the MFF negotiations, he urged that issues relating to the reduction of the Cohesion Fund need to be addressed.

The Finnish presidency will sum up the ministers' debate as input for the European Council, which is expected to finalise its guidance before the end of the year. The European Union can then adopt its long-term climate strategy and present it to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by 2020, as required by the Paris Agreement.

The Council discussion – as well as the instruction from the European Council – will also guide the Commission in the preparation of new legislative proposals and other initiatives in this area.

Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania issued a joint statement together in drawing attention to potential negative impacts that the proposal on ‘Mobility Package I’ generates and in many cases incompatible with the current climate and CO2 emissions targets.

Over lunch, ministers discussed financial instruments for sustainable transport.

The Energy Council held an exchange of views on the European Commission's assessment of the draft national energy and climate plans (NECPs). Ministers focused on how to ensure that the ambition levels of national contributions in the final NECPs will be high enough to meet the EU-wide 2030 targets. Some member states signalled that they are ready to increase their national ambition so that the EU can collectively meet the 2030 energy targets.

The head of the Hungarian delegation, Péter Kaderják, Minister of State for climate and energy policy underlined that Hungary is committed to implement the 2030 EU energy and climate targets, and we contribute to the achievement of these targets according to our capabilities. Hungary has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 32% compared to the 1990 level, electricity production is 60% carbon free, we have already achieved our 2020 renewable energy target and GHG emission and energy use per capita is far below the EU average. In our view, in the fight against climate change the main driver of the future framework is the greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency are one of the tools for achieving this. Careful planning and impact assessment should precede any new decision on the ambition level in order to have realistic and credible final plans. We are also considering to raise minimally our renewable target while assessing its costs and impacts on the final energy price. It is important not to reduce the cohesion funds dedicated to the support for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the new Multiannual Financial Framework. To raise the level of ambition European funds should be raised proportionally. To be credible, it is essential to have adequate union funding behind the ambition.

Ministers exchanged views on ways and means of achieving climate neutrality in the energy sector and the contribution of innovative technologies to this goal. According to the Hungarian position, gradual and credible progress towards climate target should be balanced with enforced  market integration, and security of supply. An (almost) complete decarbonisation of the fully integrated EU electricity sector should be at the heart of our pre- and beyond-2030 energy and climate policy with ambitious climate objectives.

The Commission informed ministers on security of gas supply with view to the incoming winter 2019-2020. The Hungarian comment reminded ministers and the Commission that there would be a risk to Hungary's gas supply after 2019 if Ukrainian transit were terminated at the Beregdaróc entry point. The Task Force set up for the winter prepared and implemented an action plan for infrastructural developments, injection strategy to our storages, execution of gas supply contracts, negotiations with our neighbouring countries and Russia regarding the gas supplies beyond 2020.

Participants at the first day of the Competitiveness Council held and in-depth discussion about a possible long-term strategy on sustainable growth, based on the Finnish Presidency’s report. The Presidency indicated its intention to present this document, along with the outcome of the Ministers’ debate, to the October European Council. As a contribution to the Strategic Agenda, the report could serve as a reference document for the next Commission’s five-year work programme. During the debate László GYÖRGY, Minister of State for Economic Strategy and Regulation emphasized that social and regional differences and the principle of technology neutrality should properly be taken into account during a just transition towards climate neutrality. In addition, he regretted that a reference to economic convergence, as one of the founding pillars of improving the EU’s competitiveness and growth, was missing from the report. He suggested that the new Commission put competitiveness even higher on its agenda, by setting up a so-called Competitiveness Pact.

Ministers also discussed the state of play of an amendment of the regulation on Euro 6 vehicle real driving emissions (RDE). László GYÖRGY explained that providing a predictable legal environment is crutial to the car manufacturers, authorities and consumers.
The background of the draft proposal is the General Court decision over the request of the municipalities of Paris, Brussels and Madrid of 2016 to repeal the existing legislation on vehicle real driving emission (RDE) limit values. The ruling of the Court of December 2018 found that the Commission acted outside of its powers in setting the conformity factors for NOx emissions of cars via comitology procedure instead of ordinary legislative procedure. The General Court annulled those provisions in the concerned Regulation, nevertheless did not question the technical needs for conformity factors. The now proposed Regulation includes the same conformity factors for nitrogen oxides (NOx) under co-legislative procedure in order to avoid legal uncertainty regarding vehicle type-approvals.
However, due to the ruling 8 million vehicles planned for production are at stake in the EU in the absence of a legislative proposal, which could put an end to the European automotive industry and jeopardising the livelihoods of millions of European families. In order to protect the European car industry, first Hungary, then Germany and the European Commission appealed against the decision.
Minister of State László GYÖRGY emphasized that the correct interpretation of sustainability takes environmental, economic and social aspects equally into consideration. Air quality in cities is important to Hungary, but it can also be guaranteed without jeopardizing the European car industry and the livelihoods of families working in it. The Hungarian government is able to provide answers to questions related to air quality that do not pose the least risk to the competitiveness of the industry. For example, according to the new Green Bus Program, from January 1 2022 in Hungary, only electric buses can be put into circulation in cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants, and the aim is to increase the proportion of domestic value added in the production of environmentally friendly buses.

The same report prepared by the Finnish Presidency has been discussed at the research day of the Competitiveness Council, on 27 September. Ministers agreed that R&I, knowledge, education, skills and growth of companies are drivers of sustainable economic growth. They found it crucial to deepen links between education and research, the European Education Area and the European Research Area. Several ministers stressed the importance to bring research results to market and deploy them, in addition to support SMEs, in particular their digitalisation.

On the second day of the Council research ministers also held a discussion over the sustainable growth report of the Presidency, followed by  a policy debate on the synergies of Horizon Europe with other programmes. Ministers agreed that workable synergies (to be ensured at regulatory and operational level) are needed in order to ensure that European programmes mutually reinforce each other. Several ministers highlighted the possibilities given by the use of Seal of Excellence. József BÓDIS, Minister of State responsible for knowledge and innovation management stressed that synergies should be created between the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and European Innovation Council as well, covering not only operational but also governance aspects. He highlighted that introducing regulations which allow a more flexible use of the Structural Funds and the change of state aid rules may facilitate the increased involvement of these Member States in the R&I partnerships. At last, he stressed that innovation divide between EU13 and EU15 countries become clear in Horizon 2020, and the Horizon Europe agreements do not address this highly important issue properly either.  In order to achieve real progress in this field, he proposed the introduction of a regional quota of 20% for the EU 13 Member States.

At the Environment Council held on 4th October 2019 in Luxembourg, the ministers held a policy debate on the EU's strategic long-term vision for a climate neutral economy, and ministers adopted conclusions on climate change, which set out the EU's position for the UN climate change meetings (COP25) in Santiago de Chile in December 2019.

The policy debate about the EU long-term emissions reduction strategy is part of a process, which helps to set the EU’s 2050 strategy aiming to creating low CO2 emitting EU economy. On 20th of June, the European Council invited the Council and the Commission to advance work on the conditions, the incentives and the enabling framework, which are necessary to be put in place so as to ensure a just and socially balanced transition to a climate-neutral EU in line with the Paris Agreement. Many Member States emphasized that the EU has to agree on the 2050 climate neutrality by the end of 2019, so the EU can submit its long-term decarbonisation strategy to the UNFCCC in 2020 as soon as possible and thus keep its leading role in international climate negotiations. Many ministers stressed that the transition to climate neutrality should be inclusive, just and socially acceptable and Member States’ different socio-economic specificities, geographical circumstances and starting point should be taken into account. Many Member States emphasized that for the transition to climate neutrality investment to low carbon emitting technologies should be supported. Many argued for new financial instruments, which help the just transition in the most affected regions and sectors. In this regards, several Member States welcomed the political will to set up a Just Transition Fund.
Representing Hungary, Mr Péter Kaderják welcomed the Finnish Presidency intention to start debate at the Environment Council on those conditions, incentives, enabling framework that is needed in short and mid-term to get closer to the ambitious objective for the EU to achieve climate neutrality.
Main priority for Hungary is to put the full decarbonisation of the electricity market in the heart of the EU long-term energy and climate policy, because this would enable the decarbonisation of transport and the rest of the heating sector. State Secretary Kaderják emphasized that we attach great importance to ensuring technology neutrality when it comes to full decarbonisation of the electricity sector. It is particularly important that nuclear energy play a role in the transition. Similarly, successfully achieving the 2020 and 2030 targets is a very important question of credibility. State Secretary Kaderják stressed that the successful finalisation of the negotiations on the EU budget for post 2020 is critical. In this regard, especially important that in case we are about to determine a highly ambitious emission reduction pathway for less developed, but well-performing Member States in climate protection, it is vital to enable the transition economically as well, without posing serious disadvantage on those Member States and their citizens. State Secretary Kaderják highlighted that additional incentives are needed that promote the emissions reduction in those sectors where CO2 emissions are high, such as transport or building sector.

At the Environment Council ministers adopted conclusions on climate change, which set out the EU's position for the UN climate change meetings (COP25) in Santiago de Chile in December 2019. The EU will represent a united and coherent position in the next round of international climate negotiations. The Council reiterated the importance of stepping up global climate action. Ministers agreed to update the EU’s 2030 climate target in line with the Paris Agreement.

State Secretary Kaderják stressed it is very important that the EU send coherent and united messages to the third countries and its partners in relation to international climate policy. He added that in relation to 2030 climate target and the 2050 decarbonisation strategy the EU messages should be in line with the Council decisions adopted earlier and the Paris Agreement. As regarding the EU climate neutrality, for us the June European Council decision is currently the guiding line. He emphasized that it is very important to maintain the competitiveness of EU’s industry, taking into account the Member States specificities. The right for Member States to decide on their own energy mix should be respected, building on the measures adopted for achieving the 2030 emissions reduction goal.

Council conclusions on the EU position for COP25 can be read here:
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/40924/st12796-en19.pdf

Under any other business the Presidency informed ministers on the state of play of the legislative proposal on real driving emissions. The Danish delegation informed ministers on its proposal in relation to transition to a fleet of zero-emission passenger cars.

Ministers adopted Council Conclusions on the 8th Environmental Action Plan.  The objective of the Conclusions to put forward criterion to the European Commission for providing environmental policy framework for the period 2021-2030. The Conclusions aims to set out a common agenda for tackling climate-change, preventing the loss of biodiversity and facilitating the transition towards circular economy.

Ministers also adopted Council Conclusions on Circular Economy.  The Conclusions aims at establishing the framework for the activities to be delivered by first and foremost, the European Commission and also by the Member States. A focus lies on key sectors to address circularity, such as textile, food, construction and demolition.

The ministers of Germany, Austria and Luxembourg informed ministers on the state of play of debates and legislation on sustainable finance (taxonomy regulation).

The Presidency and The Commission briefed ministers on a recent Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and Flora in Geneva, 17-28 August 2019.