Janos Boka – Photo: Facebook

Bóka: Tangible progress needed on the Budapest Declaration’s vision for EU competitiveness

In a recent interview with M1, Minister for EU Affairs János Bóka emphasized that EU leaders must achieve visible results in the next six months based on the Budapest Declaration.

“If we succeed throughout the rest of the presidency, we can say that genuine change has begun,” Minister Bóka remarked, noting that this goal will require both commitment and a readiness to address complex challenges. “Hungary’s European policy has never shied away from such challenges,” he added.

Minister Bóka reported positive feedback on both the European Political Community (EPC) summit and the informal EUCO meeting, describing them as historic for both Hungarian diplomacy and European cooperation on economic and security issues. The Budapest Declaration, he explained, reflects Hungary’s aim of restoring EU competitiveness and making European policies more practical amid global economic shifts.

The minister attributed the summit’s constructive atmosphere partly to Hungary’s open approach to political debate and recent changes in global dynamics, such as the U.S. election outcome. According to Minister Bóka, this level of openness has become rare in parts of Western Europe and was further bolstered by the U.S. election’s signal of a shift in global politics to which the EU must adapt.

Looking ahead, Minister Bóka stressed that implementation work is just beginning. EU economy ministers will meet in Brussels in late November to discuss measures tied to the Budapest Declaration. This meeting, he said, will detail steps for enhancing competitiveness across the EU and call on the European Commission to address regulatory burdens. Hungary’s presidency will monitor these developments closely while prioritizing other goals, such as EU enlargement and defense policy.

On EU enlargement, Minister Bóka noted that unanimous support is essential, as every step requires agreement among all member states. He expressed optimism for continued progress with Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia and reiterated Hungary’s strong backing for Romania and Bulgaria’s entry into the Schengen Area—goals he hopes to see achieved before Hungary’s presidency ends.

Turning to illegal migration, Minister Bóka emphasized the need for robust external border protections, citing Hungary’s southern border fence as a widely adopted model. He stressed that lasting solutions require admitting only those with legitimate entry rights and efficiently repatriating those without legal grounds. However, he acknowledged that these efforts face challenges from both the European Commission and judicial activism, emphasizing the importance of political solutions to migration policy.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Minister Bóka described Europe’s current approach as a “losing strategy” focused on military engagement. Hungary advocates for a shift toward a ceasefire and peace talks, arguing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own peace and security. He expressed hope that the incoming Trump administration in the U.S. could accelerate this strategic shift.

Finally, Minister Bóka addressed ongoing tensions between Hungary and Brussels, which he said stem from fundamental disagreements on sovereignty. “This is a deeply rooted clash about the essence of European integration and member states’ right to determine their policies and development paths,” he observed. Minister Bóka concluded that while diplomatic successes help foster dialogue, they will not fully resolve the ideological differences underlying these conflicts.

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