Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-09-04-Speech-2-123"
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"en.20010904.7.2-123"2
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".
Mr President, whereas the debate on enlargement held last year happened to take place on the day commemorating the tenth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, today’s debate, although it does not have the same symbolic importance, is nonetheless taking place in the wake of two very important events. Firstly, the Nice Summit, at which the European Heads of State and Government undertook to reform the Community institutions so that these could accommodate a Europe enlarged by a further twelve countries. We all share the conviction that failure in this area would damage the project of enlargement for many years to come. Secondly, the Göteborg Summit, which brought the Swedish Presidency to a close. In their conclusions, Europe’s leaders categorically stated that the process of enlargement was irreversible, having for the first time set a deadline at the end of 2002 for concluding negotiations with applicant countries that are ready, with the stated aim of these countries already being able to participate as Members in the 2004 European Parliamentary elections.
To this political commitment we must add the emphasis placed on the principle of differentiation, according to which the applicant countries will continue to be assessed solely on the basis of their merits. It is in this context that we should consider the report on Hungary’s accession to the European Union and developments in its application process over the last year. Hungary’s integration into the European Union is a truly national ambition for that country. Tangible proof of this is the agreement reached by all the political parties represented in the Hungarian Parliament in favour of accession and by the consensus obtained on first holding a referendum on this decisive step for their shared future.
By channelling all of its energies into fulfilling this national objective, Hungary has already been able to conclude negotiations with the Commission on a substantial number of chapters, (22 out of a total of 30), which gives us hope that negotiations on welcoming Hungary into the European Union within the 2002 deadline set at Göteborg can be concluded.
This fact, combined with the existence of a ‘road map’ of clearly delimited negotiations, is of great political importance, since it has not only enabled Hungary’s leaders and the Community’s negotiators to plan and undertake their work in line with the previously established timetable. It has also contributed to preventing a climate of anxiety and disillusionment arising in Hungarian society as a consequence of it being impossible to give commitments on deadlines for concluding negotiations on joining the Union.
Mr President, with regard to developments in Hungary’s application procedure, the main aspects that I wish to highlight are obviously ongoing, although some new situations can also be mentioned. As for the former, reference must be made, first of all, to Hungary’s economic situation, which is continuing to improve, despite signs of the slowdown that are being felt everywhere. Gross domestic product growth stands at around 6% and exports continue to perform very well, as does investment in housing. Consumption, employment and foreign investment have also achieved very healthy figures. We can conclude that today, Hungary has a solidly developing market economy and if it continues to make progress in the field of structural reforms and in consolidating public auditing, it will be able to withstand the pressure of competition and market forces within the European Union, without having to jump through any hoops.
Nevertheless, inflation remains high, at around 10%, and the government must keep a close eye on this by implementing the appropriate measures for reducing pressure for price increases. There is also the situation of the Roma population, which remains difficult in spite of the progress that has been made under the mid-term programme. This is why we are warning that this programme must be complemented by immediate practical measures for social support in the fields of education, employment, housing and health, amongst others, in conjunction with representatives from that community, which will be jointly monitored with them. Some of these measures are already in place.
Mention must also be made of the need, which has been fully accepted by Hungary’s political leaders, to step up the fight against corruption. The approval and implementation of a very thorough package of legislation against corruption, to enter into force with immediate effect, should be emphasised. We are aware of the difficult situation inherited by countries in similar areas and with similar recent histories to that of Hungary, and we know that this battle must be fought throughout the European Union and beyond.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Hungary recently approved a law on protecting Hungarian minorities living in neighbouring countries, which evoked various reactions and controversies, particularly in Romania and Slovakia, where the largest of these minorities live and work. The Hungarian authorities have insisted that this new law does not have any extraterritorial effect and will not have any consequences that are not in complete harmony with the legal systems in force in the neighbouring countries in which these minorities live. In this regard, I must once again repeat what is stated in the report, which is that the Commission must provide an assessment of this type of law in terms of its compatibility with the Community acquis. The Commission must also appeal to Hungary’s spirit of good neighbourliness and cooperation with its neighbours and, in general, with all Member States. The fact that this law contains a provision – Article 27 – laying down the supremacy of Community legislation over its national laws and the fact that the Hungarian government has demonstrated willingness to hold bilateral discussions with its neighbours on issues of the law’s interpretation and implementation give me grounds for optimism about the resolution of any potential problems that it may raise.
Mr President, in the short speaking time granted to me as rapporteur, I can only present the main conclusions of this report. I am nevertheless convinced that my fellow Members will agree with me in my interpretation, analysis, and support for this report. The European Parliament will therefore continue to make its essential contribution to the process of bringing together the European peoples and nations and of truly raising the awareness of the citizens of the Europe of Fifteen and of the applicant countries to the advantages and also to the obligations inherent in European integration."@en1
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