At the Tuesday meeting of the General Affairs Council held in Luxembourg – which was attended by Judit Varga, Minister of State for European Union Relations of the Prime Minister’s Office, together with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó – the attendees discussed the enlargement of the EU, the next multiannual financial framework and preparations for the June meeting of the European Council.

Mrs Varga said Hungary’s goal is to direct the EU in a direction which, in addition to stopping illegal migration, respects nations, and highlights the importance of the preservation of Christian culture and the independence of Member States in the field of economic policy. Therefore, Hungary firmly rejects the concept of tying together the distribution of EU funds and the distribution of migrants among Member States in the context of the financial framework for the period between 2021 and 2027, and does not support any connection between the principles of the rule of law and cohesion policy.

The Minister of State stressed that the government likewise does not agree with the disproportionate reduction of cohesion and agricultural grants. Some Member States seek to reduce the grants farmers are eligible for so that they can spend even more money on migrants. Mrs Varga identified the regulation of research and development funds as a further problematic area. Under the present conditions, Central and Eastern European Member States have been able to access less than 5 per cent of the available funds during the present fiscal cycle, meaning that in addition to the quantity of funds, the relevant regulations must also be changed.

Mrs Varga confirmed that Hungary is committed to the integration of the Western Balkans region into the European Union. The enlargement of the EU would improve the entire continent’s security and stability because the community of European countries would be able to effectively manage such common challenges as illegal migration, organised crime and the fight against terrorism. At the same time, the extension of the single market creates new economic opportunities for the businesses of the EU and the region. Hungary therefore urges the commencement of accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania within the shortest possible time.

(Prime Minister's Office/MTI)