Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
As of July 1, 2024, Hungary assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and a ceremony was held on this occasion in Brussels on Monday evening. As usual, the inaugural cultural event of the six-month presidency was held at the Beaux-Arts Palace in Brussels.
At the reception, Balint Odor, Head of the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the European Union, welcomed the participants, followed by a speech by Tamás Sólyuk, President of Hungary. Permanent Representative Balint Odor stressed that assuming the presidency is a unique endeavor to strengthen the European Union. “We will be honored to chair the Council meetings in this period of political importance and geopolitical challenges
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Tamas Solyuk stressed this and said that the European Union is a distinctive and unique economic and political union. Less than a state, but more than a simple alliance.
The President pointed out that European unity is a very precious and delicate thing, like the famous hand-made lace. If we deal with it forcefully, it will be torn apart sooner or later. But if a single thread is torn, it will be damaged, rendering the entire piece useless. It is our shared responsibility to take care of it together, the president said.
The evening also included a performance by artists from MOBA Budapest Performing Arts Center entitled Our European Heritage. Through the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Béla Bartók, the production showed how the composers incorporated the music and dance traditions of European peoples into their art.
The opening ceremony thus paved the way for the events that will be organized during the Hungarian presidency in the second half of 2024.

Hungary will act as an honest mediator, in the spirit of sincere cooperation between Member States and institutions, for the peace, security and prosperity of a truly strong Europe. The new presidency said on its website about its work priorities during the next phase:
A new European competitive deal
In the current international context of multiple challenges, where Europe is lagging behind its global competitors, it is essential to improve productivity and thus the competitiveness of the Union and its Member States, and to stimulate growth.
It is in our common interest to address the effects of the difficult economic conditions of recent years, such as high inflation, increasing public debt, rising energy prices, fragmentation of international supply chains, or lower European productivity and slower economic growth compared to our competitors, and to put the EU economy back on an upward trajectory.
Therefore, the Hungarian Presidency will have a strong focus on improving European competitiveness, and integrating this goal into all policies, by applying a holistic approach.
Our aim is to contribute to the development of a technology-neutral industrial strategy, a framework for promoting European productivity, the open economy and international economic cooperation, as well as a flexible labor market that creates secure jobs and delivers rising wages in Europe, which is a crucial factor for growth and competitiveness.
The adoption of a new European Competitiveness Deal is a key priority of the Hungarian Presidency in order to restore economic development and create conditions for sustainable growth, deepen the internal market, focus on supporting small and medium enterprises, encourage green and digital transition in partnership with European economic stakeholders and citizens, international cooperation, and ensure the stability and sustainability of jobs. .
Strengthening European defense policy
The ongoing and emerging conflicts on the continent and around the world clearly demonstrate that Europe needs to significantly improve its defense capabilities, international crisis management response, and capabilities. In addition to its defense policy alliances and cooperation, the EU must play a greater role in ensuring its security by strengthening its flexibility and capacity to act.
With this in mind, the Hungarian Presidency will place particular emphasis on strengthening the technological and industrial base of European defence, including defense innovation and strengthening defense procurement cooperation between Member States, going beyond the implementation of the Strategic Compass that defines the main directions of EU defense policy.

Consistent and merit-based expansion policy
Enlargement is one of the most successful EU policies. To maintain this positive trend, it is necessary to keep the expansion policy merit-based, balanced and credible.
The European Union has long been involved in ensuring a European perspective for the Western Balkans, as the Community cannot be complete without the accession of this region.
The integration of the region benefits the European Union in terms of security, security and geopolitics. To expand and deepen our cooperation, we will invite our partners to consultations within the framework of the Balkan Summit in the EU and European Political Community.
 Illegal immigration
The migration pressure that Europe has been facing for several years not only challenges the Union as a whole, but also places a significant burden on individual Member States, especially those at the Union's external borders. It has been a long-term goal of the EU to address this, which requires effective and even short-term tools.
In order to find appropriate solutions, close cooperation with the countries bordering the European Union, as well as with the main countries of origin and transit, is indispensable. In addition, illegal immigration and human smuggling must be curbed. In this regard, the Hungarian Presidency will pay special attention to the external dimension of migration, including effective cooperation with relevant third countries, more effective returns, and innovative solutions to the rules on asylum.
In addition, while pursuing the implementation of the annual priorities of the Schengen Cycle, we intend to highlight the importance of protecting external borders and the need for EU funds for this purpose.

Shaping the future of cohesion policy
To ensure harmonious and balanced development in the Union, it is necessary for Europe to reduce regional disparities as well as to secure economic, social and territorial cohesion.
An organized and balanced cohesion policy is the main tool in this regard.Cohesion policy, as the main investment policy of the European Union, has proven successful for decades in achieving the objectives set out in the Treaties.
However, as the Ninth Cohesion Report points out, significant development gaps remain between Member States and even within regions, considering that more than a quarter of the EU population is in regions that do not reach 75% of the average development level of the Union.
The convergence of these areas is not only crucial in terms of fully exploiting the EU's competitive potential, but is also essential for the proper functioning of the single market.
The Hungarian Presidency aims for a high-level strategic debate on the future of cohesion policy, including its role in enhancing competitiveness and employment, as well as in addressing demographic challenges.
EU-centred agricultural policy
European agriculture has probably never faced as many challenges as it does today. Unusual weather conditions caused by climate change, increased input costs, increased imports from third countries, and overly strict production rules have significantly reduced the competitiveness of the sector.

The accumulation of these challenges has led to a situation in which the livelihoods of European farmers are threatened. It is essential to see agriculture not as a cause of climate change, but as part of the solution, by engaging farmers to adopt more sustainable production practices.
While ensuring food security, European farmers provide all EU citizens with basic public goods. Therefore, the long-term guarantee of food sovereignty and food security must be part of the EU's strategic autonomy.
Next semester, the Hungarian Presidency will encourage the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to take advantage of the period of institutional transition and guide the new Commission in formulating the Union's post-2012 rules for agricultural policy for competitive, crisis-resistant and farm-friendly agriculture.
Promoting sustainable agriculture is a key priority to find a rational balance with regard to the strategic objectives of the European Green Deal, stability of agricultural markets, and a decent standard of living for farmers.
Addressing demographic challenges
The accelerated aging of European societies, unsustainable social welfare systems, and labor shortages are long-standing and intensifying problems across Europe that need to be addressed urgently and effectively.
An aging society, green and digital transition, rural population, increasing pressure on finances, and the changing world of work generate such demographic issues and challenges that need to be brought into the spotlight.
These issues are becoming increasingly important for the EU's competitiveness and fiscal sustainability. The Hungarian Presidency, fully respecting the competences of Member States, pays attention to these challenges, and the Commission's Demographic Toolbox, published in October 2023, provides a good basis for this.