Hungary Has High Expectations for the Polish EU Presidency

Speaking after the meeting of EU ministers responsible for EU affairs, Hungarian Minister János Bóka talked about the Polish EU Presidency’s goals and what key points could be followed through from the Hungarian presidency last year. He highlighted that Hungary would like to see the Polish EU Presidency take steps to implement the objectives of the Budapest Declaration on competitiveness.

János Bóka stressed that Hungary also wants the Polish presidency – whose priority is the enlargement of the European Union – to continue the efforts to strengthen the momentum on the Western Balkans gained during the Hungarian EU presidency.

Outlining the objectives of the Polish EU Presidency, János Bóka said that strengthening European security and defense policy was also one of the central priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. If the Polish Presidency continues the work it has started, including the development of a Council position on the European Defense Industrial Plan, it will also serve to achieve Hungary’s objectives.

️ Strengthening European #competitiveness is the basis for the prosperity of the #EuropeanUnion, Hungary included. It is therefore of crucial importance that the #BudapestDeclaration adopted during #HU24EU is implemented.

The #integration process of the #WesternBalkan… pic.twitter.com/1bjtPcKYho

— Bóka János (@JanosBoka_HU) January 28, 2025

He stressed that the introduction of security aspects in a stronger form is justified, inter alia in the context of the management of the migration crisis and the protection of the external borders of the European Union. This Polish ambition is in line with the Hungarian government’s position, János Bóka said, adding that it is important that the same expectations and standards apply to all external borders of the European Union, including those protected by Hungary.

Regarding the rule of law, the Hungarian Minister said that he encouraged the Polish presidency to continue the Hungarian initiative to put the issues of the rule of law, transparency and the fight against corruption on the agenda of the European Union institutions.

I have spent the last five years discussing the Hungarian anti-corruption framework and the Hungarian rule of law with a former commissioner who is now under criminal investigation for money laundering and other corruption-related offenses.

This is obviously something that cannot be swept under the carpet, especially if the European institutions feel that they have no role or no role to play in this,” János Bóka pointed out, adding that this undermines the credibility of the already discredited European rule of law procedures.

The Minister said it was “news of the day” that the European Commission had used some funds to finance lobbying by NGOs in member states and EU institutions to strengthen its green policy. According to him, it raises fundamental questions about the transparency of European policy-making processes.

Leaked contracts show the EU paid green groups to lobby for the Green Deal, raising serious questions about transparency. Critics call for suspension of the legislation until this taxpayer-funded scandal is clarified https://t.co/Y2voCl9NdB

— MCC Brussels (@MCC_Brussels) January 27, 2025

Finally, János Bóka emphasized that Hungary reported on the latest developments in the rule of law review cycle, including the judiciary, media pluralism, the constitutional system and civil society.

A thorough knowledge of the Hungarian situation and a general European approach, avoiding double standards, is essential for a meaningful continuation of the rule of law dialogue.

There is still a lot of work to be done in this area, both by the European Commission and by the representatives of the member states, the EU Affairs Minister highlighted in his statement.

Via MTI, Featured photo via MTI/Bodnár Boglárka