Mr Zsolt Németh on Fidesz's EU-strategy and European security

The President of the Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee was the guest of Hungary's international media corps

Dátum: 2003-04-15 09:14:00, eredeti URL: http://archiv.fidesz.hu/index.php?Cikk=9373
KCMDB-be feltöltve: 2024-05-04 18:13:03.382253, Feltöltő: fidesz_hu_scraper_v2

Mr Zsolt Németh, President of the Hungarian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee was the delegate of Fidesz at the four-party press breakfast organised by the Hungarian International Press Association on 8 April 2003 in Budapest, where he and his colleagues from MSZP, SZDSZ and MDF answered questions mostly related to the approaching referendum on Hungary's EU-accession. Mr Németh also reflected on the need to heal the transatlantic rift which emerged in the wake of the war against Iraq.

Opinions are being polarised as we approach the onset of actual membership, which is a natural phenomenon, Mr Németh explained. He referred to the Copenhagen summit as an example, results of which significantly contributed to the noticeable, though not dramatic, drop in support for membership in the January polls. Mr Németh compared the government's EU-communication strategy to that of Fidesz. He pointed out that the government pursues a euphoric YES-campaign run on a mere emotional basis, addressed exclusively for supporters. On the other hand, Fidesz runs a campaign based on rational argumentation, balancing the pros and cons of accession and coming out in favour of the pro arguments. Last December's congress, convened exclusively for taking Fidesz's stand by the European Union, was an onset of this campaign, which is being run in cooperation with the European People's Party. Rational dialogue is the only way of addressing also the EU-sceptical groups of society, who are rejective of an emotional YES-campaign. At the same time, Fidesz is also aiming at minimising disappointment, inevitably thought to increase following accession as a result of overrated expectations, Mr Németh said.

The pivotal issue for Fidesz is that all Hungarians must be made winners of EU-membership. Therefore, Fidesz considers that the government should make it a top priority identifying those methods (in economic and social policy, etc.) by which potential losers of accession may be carried across to the winning side. The circle of potential losers in certain sectors of the economy is emerging: 10-15 percent of Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises are threatened with shutdown as they will not be capable of financing the additional costs of certain (eg. environmental, labour protection) EU-regulations. The textile industry and many of the freighting enterprises will be facing bankcruptcy, whereas certain sectors of agriculture will also be chellenged.

Addressing the future character of Europe, Mr Németh explained that Hungarians do not favour an EU which might in the future become a melting pot. Instead, they prefer to perceive the European Union as a "community of communities". Therefore, they must be convinced that the European Union is not a transmitter of the negative effects of globalisation, but indeed a protection shield against such negative effects, Mr Németh explained.

Placing Hungary's EU-accession in a wider international context, Mr Németh deliberated upon whether what is ahead is simply an enlargement of the European Union, or genuine reunification. This is closely linked with the question if the current challenge to the western world, emerged in the wake of the ongoing war in Iraq, can be overcome, Mr Németh said. The only way out for the European Union from the present crisis is "running ahead", implementing a reunification in a deeper sense, creating a strong and cohesive character for the EU, which may eventually include a military identity, as well. Currently, Central and Eastern European countries are preceived by many in the EU as potential instruments of dividing Europe, and there is indeed a degree of fear of these countries joining the union. However, the social and political preconditions exist in our countries for accepting a more cohesive character for the union, Mr Németh said.

Answering to questions related to European security, Mr Németh spoke about NATO being a big victim of the row over Iraq. Therefore, efforts should be concentrated around the revitalisation of NATO, the only transatlantic organisation. The question is whether the United States realises being indirectly dependent of Europe and whether the Europeans realise that the continent's security may only be guaranteed in the medium term with the United States. If the revitalisation happens, the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy will also be a beneficiary in the process.

Budapest, 9 April 2003