Hungary Prepares for EU Council Presidency Amid Rule of Law Concerns

Hungarian Minister of EU Affairs János Bóka attended an informal meeting of foreign counterparts in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the challenges and priorities of Hungary's upcoming EU Council Presidency. The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing rule of law conditionality procedures and criticism from the European Parliament regarding Hungary's adherence to EU values.

The outcome of Hungary's EU Council Presidency will have significant implications for the future of the EU and its enlargement process, as it may set a precedent for other member states with similar rule of law concerns. Moreover, the presidency's success or failure may influence the EU'sability to address pressing global challenges, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During the meeting, member states supported Hungary's proposal for structured dialogues between the Court of Justice of the European Union and constitutional courts of member states to develop clearer and more transparent rule of law standards. Bóka emphasized that "standards of the rule of law are shaped in member states, not at an EU level" and that the EU treaties currently ensure sufficient tools for the bloc to handle rule of law issues.

Ministers also showed openness to expand the rule of law dialogue to other areas but raised concerns about potential EU scrutiny of election campaigns or political discourse. They agreed that membership in the European Public Prosecutor's Office should not be compulsory, recognizing the value of voluntary participation.

Regarding EU enlargement, the ministers expressed support for involving countries furthest along in the accession process, such as Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, in the rule of law dialogue. Bóka stated, "We hope that the agreement will be completed under the Belgian presidency, and Hungary will be the first to conduct talks on the rule of law with the participation of four member candidates."

Why this matters: Hungary's upcoming EU Council Presidency is set to prioritize European competitiveness, with a roadmap for EU enlargement to be adopted during the next summit. Minister Bóka held discussions with the secretary-general of the European Parliament to prepare for Hungary's presidency, emphasizing the importance of fair institutional cooperation.

However, Hungary's stance on the EU's role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has drawn criticism. Bóka claimed that "the EU had failed to take a constructive role in restoring peace and security in Europe" and that "Brussels supports war and will do everything to get Europe directly involved in the conflict."

As Hungary prepares to take the helm of the EU Council Presidency, the challenges it faces in terms ofrule of lawand its relationship with EU institutions will be closely watched. The outcome of the ongoing dialogues and Hungary's ability to address these complex issues will have significant implications for the future of the EU and its enlargement process.

Key Takeaways

• Hungary's EU Council Presidency to prioritize European competitiveness and EU enlargement.
• Hungary proposes structured dialogues on rule of law with EU and member states.
• Member states support Hungary's proposal, but raise concerns about EU scrutiny.
• Hungary wants to involve candidate countries in rule of law dialogue.
• Hungary's stance on EU's role in Ukraine conflict draws criticism.