Brussels, 1 July 2024 (MIA) - Hungary takes over the EU's rotating presidency on Monday, and one of Budapest's seven priorities is a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy with a message that the EU cannot be complete without the accession of the Western Balkans.  

"The European Union has long been engaged in ensuring a European perspective for the Western Balkans, as the Community cannot be complete without the accession of this region. The region’s integration benefits the EU in economic, security and geopolitical terms," reads the Hungarian presidency's website. To further broaden and deepen cooperation, it adds, partners will be invited to consultations both in the framework of the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Political Community.

The remaining six priorities of Hungary's EU presidency include a New European Competitiveness Deal, Reinforcement of European Defence Policy, Stemming Illegal Migration, Shaping the Future of Cohesion Policy, a Farmer-Centered EU Agricultural Policy, and Addressing Demographic Challenges. 

The Hungarian presidency's programme in terms of the Foreign Affairs Council states that the EU has a vital interest in the stability of the Western Balkans, and therefore the presidency will support the deepening of specific cooperation projects with the region, particularly to promote regional cooperation and stability. It adds that the Hungarian presidency plans to organise an EU-Western Balkans Summit in the region, and to hold intergovernmental conferences with candidate countries when appropriate.

It is in the basic interest of the EU, it notes, to keep its immediate neighbourhood as stable and reliable partners, and that the region joins the EU in the foreseeable future. 

As regards common security and defence policy, Hungary's EU presidency programme states that in light of the current security situation, Budapest will also consider it a priority to ensure the stability of the Western Balkans and the Sahel region through EU military missions, cooperation and dialogues focusing on security, as well as providing support via the European Peace Facility.

In terms of telecommunications, efforts will also be made to bring Georgia and the Western Balkan countries closer to the EU roaming area, while the program also notes among other that the integration of the Western Balkans region plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing the security of Europe.  

"Make Europe Great Again" is going to be the slogan of the Hungarian presidency of the European Union, as Hungary's Minister for EU Affairs János Bóka previously said at a press conference presenting the presidency's priorities.

The EU presidency is held on a rotating six-month basis with Hungary taking over the role from Belgium on July 1 through December 31, 2024.