Brussels, 24 September 2024
Presidency priorities
The Hungarian presidency presented the priorities for its term of office spanning from 1 July to 31 December 2024. The Hungarian presidency has established the following overall priorities for its semester:
- new European Competitiveness Deal
- the reinforcement of European defence policy
- a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy
- stemming illegal migration
- shaping the future of cohesion policy
- a farmer-centered EU agricultural policy
- addressing demographic challenges
As regards the General Affairs Council configuration, the presidency will take forward work on the implementation of the Strategic Agenda, rule of law, transparency and integrity, democratic resilience, the future of Europe, enlargement, fighting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, EU-UK relations, EU-Switzerland relations, and Association Agreements with Andorra and San Marino, among others.
One of the key priorities of the Hungarian Presidency is to pursue a merit-based, balanced, and credible enlargement policy. We aim to give new momentum to the integration process of the Western Balkans, recognizing that the EU is not complete without their inclusion. We expect to make tangible progress in the EU accession of these candidate countries, deepening cooperation through the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Political Community.
János Bóka, Minister for European Union Affairs of Hungary
Programme and priorities of the Hungarian presidency
Annual rule of law dialogue
As part of the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue, ministers held a discussion on general developments related to the rule of law in the EU, making use of the Commission’s 2024 rule of law report.
The debate covered four areas related to the rule of law: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances.
During the discussion, ministers welcomed the good overall progress in fulfilling the Commission’s recommendations and the inclusion of candidate countries in this year’s report. They reiterated their support for the exercise a useful tool to guide national reforms and considered important to continue the dialogue in full respect of the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of all member states.
The Council is expected to hold a country-specific discussion at the General Affairs Council meeting in November, focusing on developments in Malta, the Netherlands, Austria and Poland.
2024 Rule of law report (European Commission)
Rule of law (background information)
Rule of law in candidate countries
Ministers also exchanged views on the overall trend of the rule of law situation in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The meeting was attended by ministers from the countries concerned.
The rule of law has a central role in the enlargement process as a fundamental condition for EU membership. This year, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, as the most advanced candidate countries in the accession process and as regards their level of preparedness on rule of law, were included for the first time in the Commission’s rule of law report.
Against this background, ministers held a general exchange on rule of law matters with these candidate countries, guided by the horizontal chapter of the 2024 Commission report. They commended the comprehensive reforms that they have implemented or initiated to strengthen the rule of law and encouraged the four candidate countries to continue their reform efforts as they prepare for EU membership.
The discussion focused solely on general rule of law trends and no formal conclusions were issued after the debate. Discussions on the rule of law in individual candidate countries will continue to take place in the framework of the enlargement process.
2024 Rule of law report (European Commission)
Rule of law (background information)
October European Council
The Council started preparations for the European Council meeting on 17-18 October 2024 by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
At their meeting in October, EU leaders will address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. They will also have a first exchange on the report by Mario Draghi on ‘The future of European competitiveness’. Other possible topics include migration, and security and defence.
As part of the 2024 European Semester, the European Council will be invited to endorse the integrated country-specific recommendations.
Under ‘Other items’, leaders will take stock of preparations for the meetings of COP29 on climate change and COP16 on biological diversity. They may also address specific foreign policy issues in the light of events, including developments in Georgia and Moldova.
Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Source – EU Council