There have been and continue to be substantial changes in the European Union as a result of Europe's economic crisis. One of the Hungarian Presidency's most important tasks is to put into effect the answers to the challenges that have been worked out up to now and to encourage the Member States to take the necessary further steps. The Hungarian Presidency programme is therefore focused on how Europe can emerge stronger from the crisis. The document points out that a strong Europe can only be achieved if people are at the centre of political action.
The Presidency programme builds on the four priorities adopted earlier: growth, job creation and social inclusion; a stronger Europe - let us build upon the foundations and secure the future; a citizen-friendly European Union; responsible enlargement and global commitment. The programme sets out political guidelines for some policy fields in the first half of the year. Its structure reflects the organisation of the Presidency's work, with the Council's tasks being distributed between its ten formations.