Hungary is now officially Presidency of the Council of the European Union. I was present at a short and dignified ceremony on 6 January, in the spectacular Dome Hall of the Hungarian Parliament, when the Prime Minister of Belgium formally handed over this important function in the presence of a large audience of Ministers, officials, diplomats and other dignitaries. And then on 7 January President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and several colleagues were in town for talks with the Hungarian Government and to inaugurate the new House of the European Union at the Millenaris centre (a short walk from where I live).
The Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterne recalled in his speech Hungary’s defence of liberty in 1956 and 1989 and the core EU values of peace, democracy and freedom. Mr Barroso set out the importance of the role of the rotating Presidency in sharing responsibility between Member States; the need to keep up the current momentum; and the importance of speaking direct to Europe’s citizens about the importance of the EU. And Prime Minister Orban praised Belgium’s performance as Presidency. He spoke about the need for Europe to become competitive again and reinvent itself in the new global situation. Continuity, he argued convincingly, was not an option.
The dog that did not bark (much) in these official sessions was Hungary’s new media law. But when speaking to the media after official bilateral talks, Mr Barroso made clear Mr Orban’s commitment, should the Commission find problems with the law after a legal assessment, to change the law accordingly. This will be very welcome to Hungary’s partners and friends, who share Mr Barroso’s belief in the country’s democratic credentials.