Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU

Hungarian Presidencyof the Council of the EU Presentation of the programme

Introduction Motto: Strong Europe Strong 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

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

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

Introduction Human 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

Priorities Fourpriority areas: • Growth, jobs and social inclusion • Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and protecting the future • A Union close to its citizens • Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally

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

1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion Economic governance • finding a compromise on the COM’s six legislative proposalsby June 2011 • improving fiscal discipline • extending economic surveillance • establishing the European Stability Mechanism by mid 2013; Treaty change

1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion Europe 2020 Strategy • evaluation of national reform programme implementation • launch of the European semester • Focus should be on job creation • Innovation

1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion 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

1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion • 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

1. Growth, jobs and social inclusion 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

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

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

2. Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and protecting the future Energy security: • agree on unified actions vis-à-vis external partners • diversify sources / routes / suppliers „Greening” of the energy sector  increase employment

2. Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and protecting the future Special European Council in February onenergy and innovation: Energy: political orientation to • building key infrastructure • financing necessary investments • harmonising national technical regulations  Innovation: take steps towards a European Research Area

2. Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and protecting the future Next Multiannual Financial Framework: • Preparatory discussions on the future of the CAP and cohesion policy • basis for discussions on the next multiannual budget

2. Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and protecting the future Environmental sustainability: • Cancún decisions, further advancing negotiations • Management of extreme water-related events Macro-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

3. A Union close to its citizens 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 requirements Migration: • Better management of migration flows • Geographically balanced migration policy

3. A Union close to its citizens 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 forwardwith each candidate country • Croatia: bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion

4. Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally • 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

4. Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally 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 EEAS European Neighbourhood Policy: • Renewing the European Union’s neighbourhood policy is a special priority • Continue commitment to a strong Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

4. Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally Eastern Partnership: • Strengthen relations between EU and participating non-EU member countries • Differentiated approach, based on the needs and capabilities of the countries involved European External Action Service: • Fully functional as soon as possible

4. Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally Strategic partners: • Individual strategies devised for our partners Common Security and Defence Policy: • Start implementing the Lisbon Treaty’s innovations EU development policy: Continue debate on increasing the effectiveness of aid provided by the EU / Member States

Thank you for your attention! Q&A

Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU