Enlargement

Besides the harmonised and consistent deepening of European integration, its enlargement is also a historical success. The Hungarian Presidency therefore pays increased attention to taking the process further. The objective is to ensure that the European Union continues to be open to European countries that are ready and able to implement the internal reforms that strengthen European values and that fulfil accession requirements.

BACKGROUND

Sixty years ago, in 1950, six countries agreed on the harmonised operation of their coal and steel industry. This economic cooperation has grown to become the European Union, which today works as the tight integration of 27 countries. Through its common policies and joint institutions, it has established cohesion between Member States and is strengthening its role in the world. During the course of the latest enlargement, ten former communist countries joined the Union, including Hungary, which contributed to the strengthening of democratic values, the rule of law and security on the continent. The significance of Europe lies in the unity thus created, with the Union enlargement policy being one of its basic elements.

The harmonised and consistent deepening of European integration and its concurrent enlargement is a historical success. The Hungarian Presidency wishes to maintain the momentum of the process and will do everything possible to ensure that the accession process advances in a scheduled manner, in consideration of the level of preparedness of those awaiting accession. The objective of the Hungarian Presidency is to establish the consensus among member states necessary for the advancement of the accession process.

THE SIX MONTHS OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY

The EU currently regards five countries as candidate countries. Turkey, Croatia, the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia(FYROM) and Iceland are in various phases of their accession processes and Montenegro was just granted this status at the latest European Council, i.e. 16-17 December 2010. The Hungarian Presidency firmly believes it is the interest of the Union to remain open to European countries that are ready to implement the internal reforms aimed at strengthening European values, human rights, freedom and the rule of law, if they fulfil accession requirements. The Union can only maintain credibility, if the process remains predictable in the future.

Hungary is committed in favour of the integration perspectives of the Western Balkans region.  We believe that accession to the Union shall bring stability and prosperity to the region.

Turkey

Turkey received candidate status from the EU in 1999. 13 of the 35 chapters of the accession negotiations started in 2005 are currently open and one of them has been temporarily closed. The objective of the Hungarian Presidency is to maintain the momentum of the process, to ensure its credibility.

Croatia

Croatia became a candidate country in 2004 and the accession negotiations that started in 2005 have entered the final phase. The Hungarian Presidency will do everything to ensure the finalisation of the negotiations with Zagreb. The accession of the country would make European integration more tangible for the region, strengthening the stability of the Western Balkans and increasing commitment to EU values. The finalisation of the most complex and most difficult chapters will be left for the Hungarian Presidency, it is in these fields that negotiations have to be concluded with Zagreb.

Iceland

This island state submitted its accession application to the EU in June 2009, and Member States decided in favour of starting the negotiations a year later. The first phase of the process was the detailed Commission review (screening) of the legal material falling under each chapter, which started in November 2010 and is expected to be concluded by the spring of 2011. Since Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area, it has already harmonised part of its legislation with EU norms. However, in order to maintain the credibility of the enlargement process, the Hungarian Presidency shall make sure that Reykjavík participates in the process with the same conditions as other candidate countries. If Member States decide that Reykjavík is prepared, Hungary is ready to open the first negotiation chapters with Iceland.

OBJECTIVES

The Hungarian Presidency is committed in favour of the integration perspective of the Western Balkans region, and will do everything possible to ensure that the accession negotiations with Croatia are concluded in the first half of 2011. Hungary is prepared to perform the relevant presidency tasks, if member states decide in favour of commencing the accession negotiations with the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). It is an objective to maintain the current pace of accession negotiations with Turkey and to efficiently manage the next phase of negotiations with Iceland.