Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU started 1 July 2024

The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, running from 1 July to 31 December 2024, has placed a significant emphasis on advancing the EU accession process for Western Balkan countries. This priority is part of Hungary’s broader focus on “a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy”. Overall, Hungary will focus on seven key areas during its presidency:

1. Strengthening EU competitiveness
2. Enhancing EU defense policy
3. Implementing a coherent and performance-based enlargement policy
4. Curbing illegal migration
5. Shaping the future of cohesion policy
6. Promoting farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy
7. Addressing demographic challenges

Hungary intends to invite Western Balkan partners to consultations in the framework of the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Political Community

The educational priorities of the Hungarian presidency relate to current topics such as promoting competitive European higher education, supporting digital and green transitions, and strategic partnerships in general and vocational education. On the latter topic, the Hungarian presidency plans to adopt Council conclusions strengthening the promotion of strategic partnerships at regional and local levels in higher education, vocational training and adult education. The Hungarian presidency will begin negotiations on the higher education package and discuss proposals for recommendations on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education, as well as a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education. There are plans for intensive discussions on the European Commission’s communication on a common European higher education degree in informal and formal councils and various committees.

Research and innovation priorities of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency include strengthening the global position of European science, research, and innovation to re-establish the EU as a major player in innovation and technological competition, improving the effectiveness of European research and innovation ecosystems, which is seen as fundamental to enhancing overall EU competitivenessand addressing deficiencies in the European innovation system, such as the fragmentation of the European Research and Innovation Area and the innovation gap between countries and regions.

For more information, please consult sources of this news: https://hungarian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/media/32nhoe0p/programme-and-priorities-of-the-hungarian-presidency.pdf, https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/news/era-one-priority-hungarian-presidency-council, https://hungarian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/programme/priorities/