Hongaars voorzitterschap: samenwerken met Europarlement belangrijk om snel beleid door te voeren (en) - Hoofdinhoud

Hungarian head of government, Viktor Orbán i, reviewed the legislative tasks of the Hungarian Presidency, with President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek i, at their negotiations held on 23 March in Brussels. The Prime Minister met the Parliament’s six rapporteurs of the six legislative proposals, aimed at strengthening economic governance; as well as the coordinators of the groups of representatives.

Before the meeting of the European Council on 24-25 March, which is expected to adopt resolutions of determining importance for the future of the European Union and European economy, Viktor Orbán had two highly important meetings in the European Parliament (EP), in Brussels. Earlier, the Hungarian Prime Minister and EP President, Jerzy Buzek, had agreed to discuss on a regular bases, on the status of issues falling within the joint competence of the Council; and the Parliament during the Hungarian Presidency’s term. As part of this, following a discussion between Mr Orbán and Mr Buzek, in the evening of 23 March, then the Hungarian Prime Minister met with EP rapporteurs responsible for the package of legislative proposals, on economic governance; as well as the parliamentary group coordinators responsible for economic and monetary affairs, in the presence of the EP President.

Negotiating partners of Viktor Orbán acknowledged the Presidency’s efforts, which had contributed to the earlier Parliament acceptance with a great majority, the European Council’s draft resolution aimed at modifying the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; although with some restrictions. The aim of the contract amendment is to enable Member States of the eurozone, to create a permanent financial stability mechanism.

In his negotiations with the President of the EP and members of the Economic and Monetary Committee, the Hungarian Prime Minister confirmed that the Presidency is focusing on elements of Europe’s response to the financial and economic crisis, which falls within the scope of responsibilities of the rotating presidency of the Council. The successful implementation of the macro-economic coordination cycle, the European Semester, and having the package of six legislative proposals aimed at strengthening economic governance accepted, are key priorities in the Presidency’s programme.

Viktor Orbán highlighted that the Presidency aims at full cooperation with the EP, and will do its utmost to ensure that the legislative works of the package of six proposals, can be concluded successfully in June. This would demonstrate the credibility of the EU’s comprehensive crisis management, and to send a comforting signal to markets, the head of government stressed.

In the opinion of the Hungarian Presidency, it is very important to gain a rapid approval for the regulation, but naturally, not at the expense of contents or quality. The six legislative proposals, would introduce more stringent macro-economic supervision, and budgetary framework, for Member States.

In the negotiations of the Hungarian Prime Minister, President Buzek, and the MEPs, it was highly appreciated that the Presidency managed to develop a preliminary common position (general approach), at the Council’s meeting on 15 March, which EP considers a good basis for further negotiations. For now, the Parliament is not in a position to start cross-institutional negotiations on the package of six legislative proposals, since the economic and monetary committee is expected to vote on rapporteurs reports, only in the second half of April. Nevertheless, competent EP officers welcomed that the Presidency had already started carrying out informal discussions.

EP negotiations of Viktor Orbán made it clear that the Parliament is ready to exercise its best efforts to ensure that the six legislative proposals on economic governance, are accepted in June. “The Presidency and the EP both know that this is a difficult, complex and sensitive legislative package, but every institution is aware of its own responsibility,” said Ambassador Péter Györkös, Permanent Representative of Hungary in Brussels.