During its six-month presidency, Hungary contributed efficiently to the process of building a strong and competitive Europe, stated Deputy State Secretary for European Union and International Affairs of the Ministry of National Development Kovács Tamás Iván, who reported of the achievements first to the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Technology Committee (ITRE) and then to the Regional Development (REGI) Committee on 11 July 2011 in Brussels.

During the past six months, the decision-makers of the European Union discussed issues that may set the future of energy and cohesion policies for the decades to come, and determine the possible directions and the implements required for achieving the objectives. The Hungarian Presidency fully met its commitments undertaken, and performed well in the management of crisis situations, Tamás Iván Kovács explained in his assessment before the committees.

In energy matters an EU-level compromise was reached that is reassuring and acceptable for every participant, reported the Deputy State Secretary to the Industry, Research and Technology Committee (ITRE).He recalled that conclusions had been adopted at the February 2011 Energy Council to determine short-, medium- and long-term priorities in common energy strategy for the period leading up to 2020. The Member States undertook to create a single internal market by 2014 and committed to terminate all isolated energy areas by the next year.

The Hungarian Presidency was quick to effectively respond to the nuclear disaster in Fukushima and the crisis situations that evolved in North Africa during the political turmoil. In the framework of the extraordinary council meeting convened in March 2011, the participants discussed the state of the energy sector and the consequences of the recent events for the energy market. They expressed their support to the preparation and transparent carrying out of overall security assessments of European nuclear power stations. The Member States of the European Union started voluntary stress tests on 1 June 2011.The Hungarian Presidency efficiently contributed to the progress made in significant cooperation opportunities like the North-South Energy Corridor, an infrastructure network development programme aimed at a more diversified energy resource supply and higher energy security in the Central and South-eastern European region.

In front of the Regional Development Committee, Tamás Iván Kovács gave account of the key role of Cohesion Policy within the overall presidency strategy. The fact that it was successfully raised to a high political level was instrumental in substantially increasing the recognition of this policy.

A stronger Europe requires sustainable growth, employment and competitiveness. While maintaining its benefits, Cohesion Policy could be developed in a way to be able to more efficiently respond to new kinds of challenges and serve as a tool in the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy, Mr. Kovács added.

He pointed out that in addition to laying new foundations for regional development, the adoption of the Territorial Agenda 2020 during the two-day informal ministerial meeting also determined a new rule of thumb for all European Union policies. It was decided that in the interest of efficient Cohesion Policy, flexibility must be allowed for the Member States and regions, while focusing the policy more intensively on achievements.

(Ministry of National Development , Department of Communication)