Minister of State for EU Affairs Enikő Győri held a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 January at which she discussed several EU issues that are important to Hungary, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework, EU enlargement and the principle of free movement.

When evaluating the past year in the EU from a Hungarian viewpoint, Minister of State Győri emphasised two major achievements. One is that the Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020) has provided Hungary with considerable EU funding, and the task now is to spend the financial resources in the most efficient manner possible. Another major success of the past year was that the Excess Deficit Procedure against Hungary was lifted after nine years. „This is a clear indication that the Hungarian economy is stable” – Enikő Győri declared.

The Hungarian Minister of State pointed out, Hungary had demonstrated that there was no single blueprint for tackling the financial crisis and Hungary’s decision to follow its own course of crisis management had proved to be correct.

As regards EU enlargement, Enikő Győri stressed that Hungary had always been a vocal advocate of Croatia’s joining the European Union and of the commencement of accession negotiations with Serbia. Croatia became a member state last year, and talks with Serbia will begin in two weeks time.

The Hungarian Minister of State recalled that there had been several political attacks against the free movement of labour within the European Union in 2013. She claimed that the free movement of labour was intricately connected to the principle of four freedoms and that Hungary was ready to uphold this principle. As for the particular dispute between the UK and the European Commission, it is not the task of a member state to get involved; ultimately it is the job of the European Court of Justice to decide which side is right, Ms. Győri said.

Minister of State Győri mentioned that Hungary would be celebrating the tenth anniversary of its joining the European Union this year. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be organising a series of events and conferences to commemorate the anniversary.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)