1. Make Europe Great Again (but how?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the 1st of July, Hungary took over EU Council presidency with a slogan \u2018Make Europe Great Again\u2019. The presidency website explains that the motto \u2018Make Europe Great Again\u2019 refers to the fact that \u201cmember states are stronger together than apart\u201d and \u201csymbolises the perception that Europe can become an independent global player.\u201d The choice of ‘Make Europe Great Again’ surprised many, not for its controversy but for its predictability. The motto itself isn’t controversial; it’s what Viktor Orb\u00e1n may imply by it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hungarian presidency will focus on seven priorities: a New European Competitiveness Deal, strengthening European defence policy, a merit-based enlargement policy, curbing illegal migration, shaping cohesion policy, a farmer-oriented agricultural policy, and tackling demographic challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n will have no formal role in the rotating presidencies, the narrative he creates around the Europeanised version of \u2018Make America Great Again\u2019 will greatly influence the public debate in Brussels and capitals till the end of the year. His new \u2018Patriots for Europe\u2019 fraction in the European Parliament, and his recent visits to Moscow, Kyiv, Beijing and Washington as the self-declared leader of Europe are one big proof of that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Words vs actions <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hungarian presidency\u2019s slogan is an \u2018overpromise\u2019, said Dr Antonios Nestoras, Deputy Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum, on Euronews \u2018BRUSSELS, MY LOVE?\u2019 programme. \u201cWe all know that the council presidency is important, but it doesn\u2019t hold enough power. So, it\u2019s more about gaining attention, provoking a little bit the Brussels establishment by imitating Trump, but not really starting a revolution,\u201c said Dr Nestoras. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The programme of the Hungarian presidency has elements that resonate with broader European values competitiveness, defence, enlargement, minority protection. However, we can agree with the goals, we, liberals fundamentally disagree in how we should achieve them. \u201cIf you want to make Europe great again, you must have a strong EU. And what Orb\u00e1n has been doing for the past decade or so is the opposite of it: bocking significant decisions, weakening our position against Russia and our support for Ukraine,\u201d said Dr Antonios Nestoras. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merit-based enlargement policy <\/p>\n\n\n\n
European enlargement policy is one of the priorities of Hungarian presidency, yet Hungarian Prime Minister has not once created obstacles in the Council for candidate countries\u2019 progress. How do we achieve a merit-based EU accession without turning the process into a political one? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gradual integration is an ideal solution for merit-based enlargement, as it allows candidate countries to be progressively included in EU policies and institutions based on their preparedness. We advocate for a tailored approach for each candidate country, concrete timelines for accession negotiations, and safeguards against vetoes and blockages \u2013 the key factor which undermines the meritocracy of the process. . Implementing fixed milestones, deadlines, and tangible benefits throughout the process can ensure accountability and progress despite political changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. \u03a3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b7\u03bc\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b7 \u03bc\u03b5\u03bb\u03ad\u03c4\u03b7 : [Policy Paper 20] Staged Integration for Future EU Enlargement<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renewing the EU Enlargement Project: A Matter of Necessity,<\/p>\n\n\n\n