Deputy State Secretary for EU Affairs Balázs Molnár had talks with Director General for EU Affairs Ioannis Metaxas on 9 March 2018 in Athens. During the meeting the parties discussed the most important issues on the agenda of the European Union, the Posted Workers Directive and the Mobility Pack, migration, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), cohesion policy and the European pillar of social rights.

In the context of the revision of the Posted Workers Directive and the Mobility Pack, Mr Molnár stressed that our goal is to safeguard the interests of our businesses which operate on the single market successfully, and therefore we are working towards reaching a fair and balanced compromise. Ioannis Metaxas argued in his reply that for Greece the main priorities are the regulation of so-called letterbox companies and cabotage transactions.

Regarding migration, the parties agreed that the protection of the external borders is a particular priority, but this requires the management of the root causes of migration in the countries of origin. The Greek party agreed with the Hungarian approach that the implementation of measures seeking to support illegal migration must be avoided. Ioannis Metaxas drew attention to the problem of the implementation of the EU-Turkey readmission agreement and the resulting difficulties experienced by Greece. Concerning the ongoing reform of the common European asylum system, Mr Molnár confirmed that Hungary is firmly opposed to mandatory relocation.

In the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period beyond 2020, Ioannis Metaxas handed over to his Hungarian counterpart the Greek position paper finalised a few days ago and outlined its principal elements. According to the Greek position, the size of the MFF and cohesion funds should be increased, but must be maintained at their current level as a minimum. The paper lays down that the next MFF should also support economic, territorial and social cohesion. Greece sees a new source of income for this in the taxation of large international corporations, among others. The parties fully agreed that cohesion policy is beneficial not only for the net beneficiary Member States, but also for the net contributors. Mr Molnár added that, according to the Hungarian position, sufficient funds should be allocated within the new MFF to support the EU integration of the Western Balkans region.

Mr Molnár highlighted with respect to the European pillar of social rights that the Hungarian model which is based on the enhancement of competitiveness, increased employment, demographic policy and national identity has proved to be successful. While we agree with the rights and principles laid down in the social pillar, we do not wish to change the Hungarian model through the mandatory implementation of measures to be adopted as part of the pillar which fundamentally fall within Member State competence.

(MTI)