Hungarian EU Presidency to Argue for a Need for Change

At the 33rd Bálványos Summer University in Băile Tușnad (Tusnádfürdő), Romania, Minister for European Affairs, János Bóka emphasized the need for change in the EU, reflecting sentiments expressed in recent European Parliament elections.

The Minister asserted that the Hungarian EU Presidency has a crucial role in advocating for this change, particularly as it transitions from one institutional cycle to another, providing an opportunity to correct the EU’s political direction for the next five years. János Bóka criticized the EU for giving wrong answers in areas like competitiveness, cohesion, agricultural policy, and demographic challenges over the past five years.

He articulated two conflicting views on European integration: one that sees integration as a means for member states to collaborate effectively while maintaining their identities, and another that views the deepening of integration as an end in itself.

The politician argued for a fundamental change in approach, focusing on the added value of integration.

“Change brings political conflict. We will act responsibly if we accept these conflicts while maintaining our role as an honest broker,” Mr. Bóka stated. He underscored the necessity of facing political conflicts responsibly while maintaining an honest broker role.

“This is the basis for judging the success of the EU, and it is the basis for saying that the EU has failed in key areas over the past five years because joint action has not brought the added value that member states could not have achieved individually,” he explained.

The essence of integration is not whether it brings added value, but whether integration deepens,” János Bóka concluded.

Loránt Vincze, MEP for the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), a member of the Manfred Weber lead European Peoples Party bloc, emphasized the issue of minority protection. He criticized the European Commission for dismissing the Minority SafePack initiative, despite earlier promises from Ursula von der Leyen. Vincze expressed concern over the lack of freedom of opinion within EU institutions, citing a dominance of leftist ideology and a lack of openness to other perspectives. “There is one opinion, the leftist ideology; other opinions are excluded. Peace has become a buzzword, and the only basic principle that can be expressed is unconditional support for Ukraine,” RMDSZ’s MEP said.

Historian and political analyst Valentin Stan highlighted current European conflicts, questioning whether the EU’s arms ban during the Yugoslavian conflict was a mistake, especially in light of current support for military equipment transfers.

László Lóránt Keresztes, MEP of LMP – Hungary’s Green Party, stressed the importance of European partnerships in areas like water management. He warned that Hungary must shift from traditional water drainage to a water conservation strategy to address dehydration and desertification threats exacerbated by climate change.

Via MTI; Featured Image: X / Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024