It is not acceptable to draw false conclusions from facts and for the European Parliament (EP) to adopt recommendations that extend beyond its mandate, said MFA Minister of State in charge of European Affairs Enikő Győri, when she spoke about the Tavares Report on June 10.

Speaking in response to a question from Member of Parliament Péter Szalay at the session of the European Affairs Commission of the National Assembly, she explained: the report contains many factual errors, and it is a political document since the EP is also a political body.

Looking back on 2012, she highlighted that crisis management had continued; among others Member States signed the Stability Pact, the pact that will pave the way for growth and job creation. The crisis cannot be managed purely through budget consolidation, growth must also has to be stimulated and the EU must increase its efforts in this respect – she added.

The Minister of State also mentioned that the European Commission had published the so-called employment package, in which it placed great emphasis on the problem of youth unemployment. Thinking regarding the future of the economic and monetary union had also begun, but “we are far from the end of this process” – she said.

Speaking about the next multiannual financial framework (2014-2020), Enikő Győri said that Hungary was one of the greatest beneficiaries of this framework; its negotiations with the EU were a success, especially if one recalls the Commission's original proposal.

Responding to a question from Péter Szalay, the Minister of State said about the three infringement procedures launched by the Commission against Hungary: the issue concerning the independence of the Hungarian Central Bank did not reach the European Court, it was resolved earlier.

With respect to the early retirement of judges, the court decision was being implemented, while there was no ruling about the removal of the data protection commissioner, but if a sentence is passed, it will be respected – she said.

Enikő Győri also spoke about the status of EU enlargement. She emphasised: the decision on Serbia’s candidate status is difficult, but a decision on the commencement of accession talks may be made during the Irish presidency. Hungary is of the opinion that the EU should acknowledge the recent efforts of Kosovo and Serbia, and that the commencement of negotiations could be an appropriate way to do this.

German ratification is still missing in the case of Croatia’s accession, however the country will hopefully become an EU member state from July, she said. She remarked that there was no progress last year on the accession talks of Turkey, but now there was a chance to open a new dossier; however it still remains to be seen how the Turkish internal situation will influence the position of the Member States.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)