BRUSSELS – The choice of the EU Council to abolish Schengen border checks between Bulgaria and Romania, adopted yesterday, is historic and in my view it’s crucial achievement of the Hungarian presidency. This was said in an interview with BTA by Hungary’s everlasting consultant to the EU, Ambassador Bálint Odor.
He expressed hope that by the top of the presidency within the subsequent two weeks, there can be further momentum for the Western Balkan nations on their path to the EU, with potential progress in negotiations with Albania and Montenegro.
We wish to see the top of the warfare in Ukraine, that is our goal, stated the ambassador, noting that the EU Council is anticipated to approve new sanctions in opposition to Russia subsequent week. We have now been an trustworthy dealer as president of the EU Council, summarized the ambassador.
The total textual content of the interview follows:
The Hungarian presidency achieved a historic breakthrough with yesterday’s choice by the EU Council on Bulgaria and Romania. How was this made doable after such prolonged negotiations?
We’re very pleased with this choice, it was one of many fundamental duties of the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council. After 14 years of negotiations, a historic settlement was adopted yesterday. It’s the results of the continual mediation and work of the presidency. This is likely one of the presidency’s best successes.
It might be good to recall that through the first Hungarian presidency in 2011, the total acceptance of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen was additionally a precedence for us. We did loads to attain this objective, however extra time was wanted. We’re honored to have accomplished this course of.
There have been many vital conferences, one in every of which happened in Budapest in November this 12 months. This assembly was key for making ready the adoption of the choice. Representatives from Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania participated, the Hungarian presidency was the mediator, and we mentioned potentialities for reaching a decision with measures for border safety and migration management.
For us, this can be a historic achievement – for Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, but in addition for the entire EU.
In your view, is that this the best achievement of Hungary as president of the EU Council?
For me, that is crucial achievement of the presidency, that is my private opinion. We had different vital successes throughout this transition interval. We reached agreements in different essential areas of EU coverage for the subsequent 5 years – competitors, migration, justice and residential affairs, agriculture.
Some of the vital targets of the EU is to be extra aggressive and implement new options in opposition to unlawful migration. We did plenty of preparatory work and achieved the specified change.
Concerning the enlargement of the EU with the Western Balkan nations, we needed to speed up the method. In our view, these nations have been ready for a very long time. The primary breakthrough was with Albania, negotiations started in substance. Extra vital steps will be anticipated within the coming days, these are our hopes. We’re making ready additional intergovernmental conferences by the top of the 12 months, with Albania and Montenegro. We want to see progress with Serbia as properly. We have to ship a optimistic message to the area. Subsequent week there can be an EU-Western Balkans assembly in Brussels and this can be an vital occasion.
For the primary time within the historical past of the EU, unanimity was achieved on the targets of the EU agricultural coverage for the approaching years. We managed to advance on legislative points the place there had been no decision for years.
Will Hungary preserve border checks with Romania?
Within the subsequent few months, there can be focused police checks, just like the measures taken on the Austrian-Hungarian border. We anticipate these measures can be momentary, for six months.
Was Hungary an trustworthy dealer within the discussions on the brand new EU sanctions in opposition to Russia?
I feel we have been an trustworthy dealer on this and different issues. On this case, there was a proposal from the European Fee, we included it within the agenda, it was mentioned and supported by the ambassadors. Approval is anticipated subsequent week.
May Hungary have a particular position within the EU’s relations with the USA throughout Donald Trump’s forthcoming second presidential time period?
The intention of all EU states is to work with the brand new administration within the USA. This was the primary response, it was seen on the casual assembly of the European Council in Budapest a couple of days after the elections. There are good relations between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President-elect Trump. We could be a type of bridge. Let’s look forward to the inauguration of the brand new administration within the USA.
As an EU diplomat, what do you most wish to see occur after the New Yr?
Peace. And extra stability and predictability. That is significantly wanted, particularly within the nations surrounding the EU. We have to play a extra stabilizing position. I feel it’s achievable and we are going to work laborious for this objective. We wish to see the top of the warfare in Ukraine, that is what we’re striving for.
(December 13)
