Hungary and Europe

Taking stock of the Hungarian presidency, Eastern Partnerships (EaPs), EU and South Eastern relations and the Danube Strategy was in focus in a conference organized on the anniversary of Hungary being 'liberated' by the Soviets, 4th of April.

The organizers, the Austro-French Center for Rapprochement in Europe (AFC), the French Institute for International Relations, Andrassy University, the Institute of World Economics under the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS) placed a great emphasis on covering all burning issues of the this geopolitical region from global perspective.

Impartial analysis and reflections on the difficult and unique situation of Hungary were mentioned with much sympathy on the side of René Roudaut, Ambassador of France to Hungary, who spoke about a certain ambivalence toward Hungary's presidency which he sought to entangle by saying that after centuries of turmoil and occupations the last twenty years is the first period in this country's life to make its own choices. T

This is a young democracy, no wonder there is a sentiment of being insular and therefore, the country seeks frames within the EU and embedding via the Visegrad Group, and though, tough times are not over yet, Hungary is a master of survival. The Ambassador called attention to the fact that the international community underestimate the difficulties Hungary experiences in transforming the social structure to pluralisms and democracy. Democracy needs an active participation of the civil society, he said. The European Union need Hungary not only for geopolitical reasons but also with a view to the Balkans.

Eliane Mossé, Counsellor for Central Europe and the Balkans, Ifri, in her presentation gave an overview of the Hungarian economy of the last twenty years pointing out anomalies that are underlined by what Senior Economist Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies Sandor Richter said, who showed figures of regarding the V4 economic achievements.

Taking stock of Hungarian presidency it could be said that though the Hungarian governors have ideas of what roles Hungary should take in the EU, they keep the agenda and focus on fulfilling their duties. The issue of Eurozone is a sensitive one. The Hungarian presidency will be followed by countries that are not themselves in the Eurozone, European integration is in Hungary's hands actually more so after the presidency than it is now.

Regarding EaPs, Zsuzsa Ludvig, research fellow for the Institute of World Economics of the HAS said that EU does not intend to take stands but to act as an active mediator. On neighboroughood policy, it was agreed that greater engagement would be needed on the side of the countries.

After the key points of neighboroughood policy, the Balkan conflicts and integration issues, Eastern Partnerships, Danube strategy were discussed in detail. It seems to be a well developed, macro-regional strategical concept that aims to radically improve five aspects; transportation, energy, environment, safety and cultural heritage.