The European Affairs Ministers of the European Union Member States will hear Hungary again on Friday 18 November under the so-called ‘Article 7’ procedure of the Treaty on the respect of the Rule of law opened against it.
The Hungarian authorities will be extensively questioned on the 17 measures they announced to the European Commission in the framework of the Hungarian Recovery Plan negotiations and related to the ‘Rule of law’ mechanism of the EU budget (see EUROPE 13065/1). Most Member States expect a favourable outcome to these various financial disputes and the release of funds to Budapest.
The Benelux countries will again intervene together at this fifth hearing and will ask Budapest about the situation of NGOs in Hungary and their framework.
If the Czech Presidency of the EU Council has not foreseen in its work programme to take a further step in the ‘Article 7’ procedure, namely by organising a vote on the existence of a clear risk of violation of European values in Hungary, the Benelux countries have not said their last word and will push for the holding of such a vote and the establishment of recommendations to the country.
United Kingdom. Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič will brief the ministers on the state of relations with the United Kingdom, including possible progress on the Northern Ireland Protocol to facilitate control requirements on goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The tone of the new government of Rishi Sunak is certainly more conciliatory and friendly, but “the British Northern Ireland Protocol Bill is still under discussion” in the British Parliament, a diplomatic source noted on Thursday 17 November. And if the plan, which contradicts the withdrawal agreement signed between London and the EU, is approved, a whole new scenario would emerge, the source said.
However, to date, “no change has been noted” in substance between the two partners, the source also said.
EUCO. The EU ‘General Affairs’ Council will begin preparations for the EU summit on 15-16 December. The agenda will include the repercussions in the EU of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, the endowment of the European Peace Facility, the energy crisis, relations with the EU’s southern neighbourhood and migration, with the first participation of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Legislative Programme 2023. Ministers will also take stock of the Commission’s legislative programme for 2023 (see EUROPE 13043/23), the last full calendar year before the end of the legislature (in spring 2024).
These discussions should lead to an interinstitutional agreement reflecting future political priorities, such as the mid-term review of the EU budget, the revision of the European economic governance framework and the reform of the European electricity market.
CoFoE. At the request of the German delegation, an update will be given on the EU Council’s follow-up to the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe, while an event bringing together the citizens who participated in the Conference will be organised on Friday 2 December in Brussels. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic and Mathieu Bion)