Thewesternbalkans
The Hungarian government led by Mr. Viktor Orbán is taking over the EU’s rotating half-yearly presidency of the European Union’s Council under the slogan of “Making Europe Great Again” – much the same slogan with which former US President Donald Trump (and may be next one) triumphed in the 2016 election. “Europe is going through an extraordinary situation, with problems like the war in the neighborhood or immigration,” said Hungarian European Affairs Minister János Bóka, while promising that his country would be an “honest mediator” during the presidency. The same was emphasized by the permanent representative of Hungary in the EU, Balint Odor, while presenting the priorities of the presidency to the European media.
Seven priorities for the next six months. Hungary has set following priorities for its presidency: Improving competitiveness; common defense; protection of external borders; progress in expanding and promoting cohesion policies; agriculture; fight against demographic problems.
In addition, Hungary expects progress in lifting Schengen land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania and in the fight against anti-Semitism. The country also wants to encourage discussions on topics related to higher education and the preservation of cultural heritage. Among the key topics of the presidency will be EU enlargement in relation to the Western Balkans. “As far as the Western Balkans is concerned, we would like to make as much progress as possible. We strive to open and close as many negotiating chapters as possible. We need to speed up this process,” Ambassador Balint Odor told reporters in Brussels.
The Hungarian presidency wants to hold a summit in the region between the EU and the countries of the Western Balkans – Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The EU has currently started accession negotiations with Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro. In March 2024, the EU agreed to open formal accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, Hungary’s goal in the first half of its presidency is to start negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and hold the first Intergovernmental conference. Szijjártó also has said that there are member of the European Parliament that publicly support enlargement, but speak differently behind closed doors. He also asked all Hungarian diplomats to actively lobby for the opening of accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to the Permanent Representative of Hungary to the EU, Balint Odor, Hungary will not actively promote the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova.
Comments: Of course, the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU represents hope for the countries of the Western Balkans at least to achieve some kind of balance in the relations of the EU with the candidate countries for EU membership. Hungary alone will have a hard time overcoming the accumulated momentum to favor Ukraine (alongside it and Moldova), but it would be great if something was also done for WB. In this regard, Budapest can expect support at least from Italy.
