Hungary attaches outstanding significance to maintaining the weight and structure of Cohesion Policy during its Presidency,

declared Tamás Fellegi, Minister of National Development at a press conference held yesterday for journalists of the leading newspapers in the European Union. The Minister called the attention to the significance of the decisions to be adopted in Hungary is in favour of the Europe 2020 strategy. In Cohesion and Regional Policies, the main objective is to maintain the current structure and policy, and promote cohesion in Europe, Tamás Fellegi emphasised. Economic and other disparities between the developed and underdeveloped areas of Europe must be overcome, he added. Especially in light of the economic crisis of the past few years, the promotion of competitiveness is extremely important. Our main objective is to achieve a strong, efficient and competitive Europe. This is why “Strong Europe” is the main slogan of the Hungarian Presidency. Cohesion Policy must serve both objectives at the same time: help Europe’s underdeveloped regions while promoting competitiveness in the interest of accomplishing the objectives set in the Europe 2020 strategy.

In addition, we must pay special attention to spending the funds available for Cohesion Policy for the appropriate purposes and without corruption. This requires reinforcement of the monitoring system, Tamás Fellegi stressed. Hungary will do everything in its power during its term of Presidency to increase the weight of Cohesion Policy and remove the problems this policy has been characterised by. Hungary fully supports the European Commission’s position that Cohesion Policy should be elevated to policy level and included in the Council of General Affairs as a separate item.

Tamás Fellegi pointed out that 4 February 2011 will be a breakthrough for the energy sector, as this will be the very first time a European Council meeting will be dedicated to energy issues. For Hungary the two most critical issues at hand will be the improvement of energy efficiency and building the internal market. The European Union needs to lay emphasis on Russian relations also in energy matters. Nabucco, the Southern Stream, the Northern Stream and Agri are all related to Russians.

Two fundamental documents must be completed during the Hungarian Presidency, the Minister highlighted: one of them is the energy strategy up to 2020, and the other is low-carbon economy roadmap 2050. Hungary intends to devote the informal ministerial meeting to be held in May to the Roadmap 2050.

The Minister considers the term of the Hungarian Presidency as a critical period as fundamental decisions will be adopted in pivotal areas.

Ministry of National Development

Department of Communication

Budapest, 07 January 2011