The greatest success from the perspective of Hungary at the two-day European Council meeting starting in Brussels on Thursday could be the decision by the Heads of State and Government to begin accession talks with Serbia – said Enikő Győri, MFA Minister of State for European Affairs at a press briefing on Wednesday. She recalled: EU ministers had already agreed about this at the meeting of the General Affairs Council. Serbia has delivered a lot, a lot of progress has been made in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and these efforts have to be rewarded by all means.

She also alluded to the fact that Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement both recognized Serbia’s achievements. Hungary will follow the issue of minority protection as a matter of priority during the accession negotiations – she said. Ms Győri emphasized: EU enlargement should not be considered as a problem, but as an opportunity. Individual countries have to be judged on their merits and if they can present progress, the EU should not play for time.

The Minister of State recalled: similarly significant progress was not reached in the case of all countries. Albania’s candidate status will only be decided next June, while Macedonia has been waiting in vain for 5 years to commence accession talks. She noted: the developments are especially unfavourable for Macedonia, saying “this is not fair, it is risky”. She also mentioned that although Iceland has suspended the talks, the EU still keeps its doors open for the talks to continue. Montenegro was progressing well, the country could serve as an example for the entire Western Balkans, but there was no progress in the case of Bosnia-Hercegovina – she explained. 
Ms Győri revealed: European People’s Party heads of state and government and the leaders of Visegrád countries will also meet before the European Council.

The European Council will also deal with foreign affairs and security policy issues, topics which last figured on the agenda of this body in 2008 – she said. Defence policy requires increased attention; further impetus is required for European progress in this sector also. Defence spending has reduced as a result of the crisis, while it is known the defence “does not come free” – she said.

The Minister of State explained: Visegrád countries share the opinion that neighbourhood policy has to be in focus for defence issues as well, but it is most important to “secure our neighbourhood”. The EU has to be able to use its civilian and military assets as efficiently as possible, furthermore it is also essential to take steps that ensure equal opportunities for boosting the European defence industry – she explained. She added that such measures have to be taken in coordination with NATO, with a view to preventing unnecessary capacity building.

Talking about economic and social issues Ms Győri emphasized that the crisis will be over when everybody who wants to work will have a job and the EU is still far from achieving this. The Hungarian indicators are good, but the situation in the southern countries is quite desperate – she added. She was on the opinion that sharing best practices among countries could lead to a solution.

The Minister of State explained that the European Council will also discuss the issue of illegal immigrants. The issue has gained prominence because of the Lampedusa tragedy, while it should not be forgotten that the EU also has land borders – she said.

Talking about the Eastern Partnership and Ukraine she said that the door has to be left open for Ukraine. She noted that two Ukrainian opposition leaders will be invited to the People’s Party meeting on Thursday.

Responding to the fact that the issue of workers arriving from other EU Member States to the United Kingdom has again become an issue, Enikő Győri said: “the majority of Hungarians leaves for the UK to work decently and not to exploit the welfare systems”. Hopefully the British government will also consider its EU obligations with common sense – added the Minister of State.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)