Photo: Facebook/János Bóka
Eurasia
22/06/2024 22:21
The Hungarian Presidency is committed to strengthening relations between the EU and Asia, and with the countries of the Indo-Pacific region. The peace and prosperity of the Asian continent have a direct impact on European stability and competitiveness; therefore, dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation should be maintained with all regional partners. The Hungarian Presidency will pay particular attention to intensifying trade, investments, and connectivity between the two continents. To this end, the implementation of the European initiatives in the region is particularly important, such as the Indo-Pacific strategy and Global Gateway’s regional projects.
The Presidency intends to promote free trade agreements, as well as partnership and cooperation agreements. Constructive and stable relations should be pursued with major countries of the region, such as China and India. We promote deepening the existing strategic partnerships of the Union with South Korea and Japan, and the closest possible cooperation with ASEAN as well as its Member States. The Presidency monitors security challenges such as Afghanistan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
A pragmatic and balanced approach towards China is a key objective of the Hungarian Presidency. China is an important trade and economic partner. In EU-China relations, we consider constructive dialogue on the economy and strategic security particularly important.
Türkiye is an indispensable partner of the EU in many areas, such as energy security, overall regional security, and the fight against illegal migration. The European Union has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as in a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye. Following the recent European Council conclusions, the Hungarian Presidency will therefore seek to give new impetus to deepening strategic cooperation in areas of common interest, and to promote the EU-Türkiye political dialogue, with regard to Türkiye’s status as a candidate country. The Presidency places great importance on the resumption and progress of comprehensive settlement negotiations with Cyprus, which could also strengthen EU-Türkiye cooperation. The Association Council meeting and high-level negotiations should be resumed in order to promote dialogue. The goal is to keep the recommendations from the Joint Communication of the High Representative and the European Commission on the current EU-Türkiye political, economic, and trade relations on the agenda, and to advance these discussions, supporting Türkiye’s rapprochement to the EU.
The Hungarian Presidency will strive to further enhance cooperation with the countries of the South Caucasus region, with a special focus on the EU’s energy security, developing trade routes, and preserving regional stability. Building on the New EU Central Asia strategy (2019), the Hungarian Presidency will continue to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade and economic relations, energy security, connectivity, common security challenges, as well as people-to-people relations and mobility, in line with the EU-Central Asia Roadmap and the Global Gateway strategy.
Regarding the Middle East, it is regrettable that the conflict that erupted in the autumn of 2023 has halted progress resulting from the Abraham Accords, the Israeli-Palestinian talks under the Aqaba process, and the development of EU-Israel and EU-Palestinian relations. The EU most resolutely condemns Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks throughout Israel and recognises Israel’s right to self-defence. Our common objective is to prevent a regional escalation of the conflict, alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians, and resolve the humanitarian crisis. To this end, particular attention is needed for the immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilians in need in Gaza. As another priority, the Hungarian Presidency will strive to ensure the significant role of the EU in the long-term political settlement of the conflict. The Presidency will seek to build consensus in the Union and will also support European engagement in the region to explore opportunities for new cooperation and further develop the existing ties. Building on the Abraham Accords, the Presidency will support the development of further trilateral cooperation (EU-Israel-Arab countries) in the region to promote regional integration. The Hungarian Presidency will support more active cooperation with the Gulf countries by implementing the Joint Communication: A Strategic Partnership with the Gulf. We will strive to enhance EU-GCC relations in the fields of security, counterterrorism, energy and green transition, people-to-people contacts, trade, and investments. The Hungarian Presidency intends to step up EU efforts to restore regional stability and the security of supply chains in the Red Sea region.