The proposition of Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union for the government and parliamentary parties on guidelines of future Hungarian EU-policy

Dátum: 2004-03-23 11:54:00, eredeti URL: http://archiv.fidesz.hu/index.php?Cikk=21452
KCMDB-be feltöltve: 2024-05-04 19:43:38.890799, Feltöltő: fidesz_hu_scraper_v2

In his speech in mid-February, Prime Minister Medgyessy outlined proposals concerning a domestic political unity before the European Parliament elections, including an idea that parliamentary parties should draft a joint list for the elections. Fidesz considers that, popular as they might seem, such ideas are impossible to implement and are contrary to basic democratic and European principles (see our position paper of 27 February 2004). Fidesz agrees with the underlying concept of a consensus, but disagrees on the tools proposed by the prime minister: instead of vague ideas, such tools must concern concrete matters of substance. In response to Mr Medgyessy's initiative, Mr Viktor Orbán has unveiled a 9-point plan for creating a national consensus on nine particular matters.

This is a set of proposed guidelines for joint Hungarian efforts in the EU, titled "Unity in protection of our common interests", offered for consideration for the government and other parties in Parliament. Fidesz is confident that it is possible to make a domestic consensus on European matters important from a Hungarian aspect.

 Unity for an equal treatment of Hungarians within the European Union

Under provisions of the accession treaty, different regulations will be applied for Hungary in certain issues than for current member states may be as long as 2013. Due to these periods of transition, therefore, we are only theoretically full-fledged members of the European Union. All Hungarian parties are interested in accelerating the full implementation of equal treatment, with special regard to the free movement of labour, direct agricultural payments and removing border control limiting the free movement of persons and goods. Negotiations on the financial provisions of 2007-2013 budgetary period has just begun in the Europoean Union. This provides an opportunity for placing the financial aspects of the accession (structural and agricultural subsidies, cohesion fund) again on the agenda. Member states must be confronted bilaterally with their earlier promises as regards the unlimited movement of labour and it has to be considered whether Hungary should also introduce regulations in defence of her labour market.

 Unity for making use of the financial assistance arriving from the European Union

It is in Hungary's prime interest that the principle of solidarity be maintained and even strengthened in the European Union. The cohesion of the community of member states may be promoted via a widest possible access to structural and cohesion funds meeting the principle of equal treatment. Hungarian political forces must make all efforts therefore in EU institutions, in the Council and in the European Parliament, so that the financial provisions related to the 2007-2013 budgetary period would not weaken but strengthen solidarity and cohesion between member states. In the meantime, here at home we must pursue a transparent process of applications for EU funds. Middle- and long-term priorities of development plans must be determined by national consensus and only professional arguments should be decisive in judging applications. A disfunctioning institutional framework, a non-transparent judgment process and a partisan nature of judging agencies implies the danger of not only discrediting Hungary in the EU, but also that we fail to have access to resources and we spoil our position as net beneficiary. All this could imply losses in the billions of euros for Hungary.

 Unity for strengthening Hungarian farmers and the agriculture

 Unity for helping national minorities

Making recognise the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in the future European Constitution is just the first, albeit significant, step. In order to achieve this result, and so that the minority issue was at all placed on the agenda in the European Union, Hungarian members of the Convention have had a single voice. The Hungarian Government is constitutionally obliged to take responsibility for the Hungarians living beyond the borders, not only for Hungarian individuals, but also communities thereof. As politicians of an EU member state, Hungarian politicians must meet this responsibility in a European context. It is their obligation to make the weight of this issue understood with all EU partners. Our goal can therefore be no other than the recognition of collective rights for minorities and the inclusion thereof in European law. Upon the principle of subsidiarity and the notion of the EU as a "community of communities", regionalism, community self-governments and self-determination, as well as various forms of community and territorial autonomies need to be strenghtened.

 Unity for strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises

In March 2000 in Lisbon, leaders of the European Union decided on setting the European economies on a new growth path. The Union's heads of state and government intended to make the continent more competitive by promoting a knowledge-based society lifelong learning, research and development, small and medium-sized enterprises and full employment. It is Hungary's interest that the EU continue on this path with an increasing number of projects being born through which Hungarian education and the R&D sector may get an impetus.

 Let the Parliament's European Integration Affairs Committee work as an institution of national consensus

Following 1 May 2004, 50 percent of all legal regulations in force in Hungary and 80 percent of economic regulations will be framed in the European Union. Within this circle, the bulk of the most important regulations will be enacted by the Council, representing national governments. Hungary will only be able to represent her interests effectively in Brussels if her position is reinforced by national consensus. The parliamentary parties and the government should formulate the common Hungarian position on each of the regulations and policies in the National Assembly, in the Parliament's European Integration Affairs Committee, currently having a consultative role only. The mandate of the government for its negotiations in Brussels would therefore be approved by the European Integration Affairs Committee, which would also include for these sessions Hungarian MEPs.

 Common assent on Hungarian EU-bureaucrats

The mandate of the current European Commission expires on 31 October 2004, and the Hungarian government will have to nominate candidates for the position of commissioner again. A renewal of mandates will also be necessary in a continuous manner in the case of the rest of the positions already filled (judges, member of the Court of Auditors), due upon each expiry. Until 2010, Hungary will be entitled to 6 high-level and 27 middle-level positions in the European Commission, we have to nominate representatives to the Committee of Regions, the Economic and Social Council as well as to the so-called professional agencies. Moreover, Commission seats are lifelong positions. These candiditates will only promote Hungary's image in the EU and will only be able to work effectively if their selection is carried out by national consensus, i.e. if there are prior and genuine consultations about their candidacy between the government and the parties. It goes without saying that such a common agreement is essential and that there is no consensus in professional matters either if there is no prior and genuine consultation among the parties on these nominations.

 Unity for a unified Europe

The European Union is an alliance built upon the fundamental values of democracy, upon the idea of freedom and equality. It came into being as the alliance of free, independent and equal nations, and Hungarians voted in 2003 in favour of Hungary joining this kind of alliance. Those who will be representing Hungarians in the European Parliament, therefore, must represent the idea of a unified Europe, as opposed to the concept of a multi-speed European Union. Our European parliamentarians must represent the idea of democracy, which is not compatible with making politics above peoples' heads.

 Unity for upholding democratic principles in Europe

Under 2002/772/EC, Euratom (Council Decision of 25 June 2002 and 23 September 2002 amending the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, annexed to Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom): "Elections shall be by direct universal suffrage and shall be FREE and secret."