Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU Presentation of the programme

Hungarian Presidencyof the Council of the EU

Presentation of the programme

Introduction

Motto: Strong EuropeStrong Europe: – strong institutions – strong Member States – strong common policies with a view to strong

cohesion and a strong Eurozone – response to challenges should be more and not

less Europe

2

Introduction

Europe’s key tasks: •establishing a European Stability Mechanism•reinforcing economic coordination•strengthening control over fiscal discipline

3

Introduction

Europe 2020 Strategy:•Economic growth, employment and job creation•Innovation•Solidarity and cohesion

4

IntroductionHuman factor: Strong Europe with a human touch

•to put Europe at the service of its citizens •re-focussing policies on the human face of integration•Lisbon Treaty: new legal framework bring Europe closer to its citizens

5

Priorities

Four priority areas:1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion2. Stronger Europe – building on the

foundations and protecting the future3. A Union close to its citizens4. Enlarging responsibly and engaging

globally6

Key tasks

Most important tasks of the Hungarian Presidency: •Economic governance•European semester•Energy policy•Common policies (CAP, cohesion)•Integration of Roma•Enlargement •Schengen •Eastern Partnership

7

1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion

Economic governance•finding a compromise on the COM’s six legislative proposals by June 2011•improving fiscal discipline•extending economic surveillance•establishing the European Stability Mechanism by mid 2013; Treaty change

8


Europe 2020 Strategy• evaluation of national reform programme

implementation• launch of the European semester • Focus should be on job creation • Innovation

9


Flagship initiatives: synergies and complementarities•Digital Europe•Agenda for new skills and jobs: focus on job creation •Youth on the Move: promoting learning mobility•Platform Against Poverty and Resource Efficient Europe initiatives

10


• European Platform Against Poverty: Roma integration and child poverty.

• Roma: EU Framework on National Roma Integration Strategies (focus on education and job creation)

• Demographic trends and family policy measures: general assessment, exchange of best practices

11


Single Market :•Complete the internal market by dismantling remaining barriers•Implementation of the Single Market Act•Focus on SMEs: enhancing mobility and competitiveness•Unitary patent protection

12

2. Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and protecting the future

For a strong Europe we need strong and renewed common policies (CAP, cohesion)

Cohesion Policy: • Economic, social and territorial cohesion: one of

the main pillars of the EU• Internally unified Europe more competitive

globally, more efficient in terms of external action

13


Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): • Preserving the values underpinning the CAP• Facing up to new challenges

Common energy policy:Energy security: • create a common European energy market• build necessary infrastructure• devise adequate financing methods

14


Energy security: • agree on unified actions vis-à-vis external

partners• diversify sources / routes / suppliers

„Greening” of the energy sector increase employment


Special European Council in February on energy and innovation:

Energy: political orientation to • building key infrastructure• financing necessary investments • harmonising national technical regulations Innovation: take steps towards a European

Research Area


Next Multiannual Financial Framework:• Preparatory discussions on the future of

the CAP and cohesion policy • basis for discussions on the next

multiannual budget


Environmental sustainability:• Cancún decisions, further advancing

negotiations• Management of extreme water-related eventsMacro-regional co-operation:• European Danube Strategy

3. A Union close to its citizens

Implementation of the Stockholm Programme: • Promoting fair trial rights, helping victims of crime• Fight against organised crime and cybercrime• Protection of personal data• European E-justice portal: easier access to justice

Charter of Fundamental Rights:• Assessing the implementation, Council conclusions

19


Schengen area:• Promotion of the accession of RO and BG • Wish to welcome RO and BG into the Schengen area

as soon as they meet all the requirementsMigration:• Better management of migration flows• Geographically balanced migration policy

20


2011 – European Year of Volunteering:• Increase the recognition given to volunteering

Cultural diversity: Emphasizing the role of the EU in the preservation

and promotion of European cultural heritage and diversity

Enhancing availability of and access to European funds for civil society

4. Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally

Enlargement:• Europe must remain open towards those countries

which fulfil the criteria and are ready to implement reforms in the spirit of European values

• Aim: take one step forward with each candidate country

• Croatia: bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion

22


• Turkey: make progress according to their readiness (open one chapter)

• Iceland: first tangible results in negotiations• Western Balkans: further promote the enlargement

process. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: ready to start negotiations, as soon as the Council reaches a decision

23


External relations:• Lisbon Treaty rotating Presidency does not play a central

role in the field of CFSP• PRES aims at providing all possible support to the High

Representative and the EEASEuropean Neighbourhood Policy: • Renewing the European Union’s neighbourhood policy is a

special priority• Continue commitment to a strong Euro-Mediterranean

Partnership24


Eastern Partnership: •Strengthen relations between EU and participating non-EU member countries•Differentiated approach, based on the needs and capabilities of the countries involvedEuropean External Action Service:•Fully functional as soon as possible

25


Strategic partners:• Individual strategies devised for our partnersCommon Security and Defence Policy:• Start implementing the Lisbon Treaty’s innovationsEU development policy:Continue debate on increasing the effectiveness of aid

provided by the EU / Member States

Thank you for your attention!

Q&A

Documents

Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU Presentation of the programme