Joint Statement of the Parties represented in the National Assembly of the Republic of Hungary and of the Government on the threshold of the accession into the European Union

Dátum: 2002-10-21 15:48:00, eredeti URL: http://archiv.fidesz.hu/index.php?Cikk=5167
KCMDB-be feltöltve: 2024-05-04 17:51:03.163553, Feltöltő: fidesz_hu_scraper_v2

The Parties represented in the National Assembly and the Government attach outstanding importance to the establishment of the Grand Committee on the European Union of the National Assembly and wish to make the following joint statement on this occasion:

Being aware of the fact that Hungary's accession process to the European Union has entered its final stage,

In recognition of the fact that our country has a historic opportunity to complete this process successfully, as a result of which Hungary will become member of the European Union,

Expressing their firm conviction that the country's membership in the European Union embodies the realisation of one of the fundamental goals of the change of the political system and of the respective common effort of four democratically elected, consecutive National Assemblies, and that the guarantee of asserting our national interests in the field of Hungary's EU accession lies in the consensus between the civil society and the political forces on this issue and its preservation.

Lead by their belief that Hungary's participation in the process of reuniting Europe is a common cause of the Hungarian Nation and Society, and that its successful completion necessitates co-operation among the Parties represented in the National Assembly, and joint efforts from the Government and the Nation as a whole,

Bearing all this in mind, and being aware of their responsibility for the prosperity of the Nation, the Parties represented in the National Assembly and the Government confirm their willingness to co-operate and express their mutual understanding on the following:

Hungary's membership in the European Union shall contribute substantially to the Reunification of Europe and the Hungarian Nation, as well as to the prevalence of democracy, prosperity and human rights.

Citizens shall express their opinion on the accession of the Republic of Hungary to the European Union in a binding referendum. The amendments to the Constitution required by the country's EU accession shall be adopted prior to the referendum- according to our aims, before 31st December 2002.

The indispensable constitutional and legal conditions of our EU-accession must be provided for. To this end, the Parties invite the Government to submit the necessary draft legislation to the National Assembly.

The Parties shall refrain from bringing their domestic disputes related to the country's EU-accession to the international stage, thus facilitating the strengthening of the negotiating position of the Republic of Hungary.

It is the fundamental interest of the Hungarian Nation to conclude internal preparations by the time of Hungary's EU-accession. The Parties represented in the National Assembly invite as well as support the Government to make all necessary arrangements to accomplish this goal.

Efforts must be made in order to improve the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy and achieve a balanced development across the regions. To this end, it is essential to implement programs promoting regional development, the creation of jobs, environmental protection, assistance to Hungarian small- and medium-scale enterprises and agricultural producers, as well as to establish the corresponding effective administrative capacities.

During the accession negotiations with the European Union, efforts must be made to ensure Hungary's access to EU funds from the very beginning of her membership and to achieve an improved financial position vis-a-vis the EU budget already in the first year after accession, as compared to the last pre-accession year.

The Parties represented in the National Assembly and the Government will continue to ensure the transparency of the Hungary's EU accession process, and are determined to make the wide social dialogue on issues related to European integration more effective. They count on the active participation of each citizen, the civil society and of the Hungarians living abroad in the preparation for EU membership.

Budapest, September 19, 2002

Ildikó Lendvai / Hungarian Socialist Party

János Áder / Young Democrats - Hungarian Civic Party

Gábor Kuncze / Alliance of Free Democrats

István Balsai / Hungarian Democratic Forum

László Kovács / Government of the Republic of Hungary