Security and efficiency appear to be the two watchwords of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union when it comes to Justice. In line with its Home Affairs priorities, Hungary will be focusing on the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. To achieve this, it recommends drawing up a dedicated roadmap.
The fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods and environmental crime is also a priority.
Hungary also intends to strengthen judicial cooperation by opening a dialogue to promote effective legal solutions, thereby facilitating cross-border processes.
With regard to cooperation in criminal matters, the Hungarian Presidency wishes to focus on continuing the debate on the future of criminal law. It affirms its commitment to continuing the legislative work in favour of aid for victims (see EUROPE 13431/2) and the fight against corruption.
Hungary also wants the legal field to contribute to the competitiveness of the European Union and will aim to develop the regulatory framework for judicial cooperation in civil matters to this end.
The Hungarian Presidency will focus on the harmonisation of pre-pack proceedings (see EUROPE 13432/10), on which the Member States must reach a common position. It will examine the constraints of European case law on international disputes and the risks of “over-regulation”.
Hungary would like to make progress in discussions on the protection of vulnerable adults (see EUROPE 13191/15) and the law applicable to the enforceability of assignments of claims at a time when the EU Council has adopted its mandate for 2021 (see EUROPE 12735/2).
The digital preparation of EU justice is also a priority. The Hungarian Presidency wishes to work on reducing the digital divide and exploiting digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve access to justice and prepare the future of e-justice, with the strategy for 2024-2028, which was adopted in December.
Fundamental rights. The Hungarian Presidency will continue negotiations on the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (see EUROPE 13270/31) and the harmonisation of national data protection procedures.
The fight against antisemitism is also a priority, along with the promotion of Jewish life and the preservation of Jewish culture and heritage. Hungary will examine the state of progress of national strategies to combat antisemitism and plans to adopt an EU Council declaration on this subject.
The Hungarian Presidency aims to promote the protection of the rights of national minorities, particularly in the EU candidate countries, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, so that the enlargement process contributes to improving the situation of national minorities.
Announcing that it is particularly committed to promoting equal opportunities, Hungary has expressed its desire to move forward the discussions that have been underway for some fifteen years in the EU Council on the directive on equal treatment (see EUROPE 13436/24).
On gender equality, the aim will be to promote the reconciliation of work and family life, taking into account intergenerational cooperation and solidarity. Mental health issues, particularly women’s mental health, are also on the agenda of the Hungarian Presidency, which hopes to reach EU Council conclusions on these issues.
The programme: https://aeur.eu/f/crs (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)