5 July 2024
Last week, the first meeting of the European Council following the EU elections took stock of the outcome and decided on the “top jobs” that will lead the EU institutions in the upcoming cycle. The 27 Heads of State and Government proposed Ursula von der Leyen as the candidate for the Presidency of the Commission; Kaja Kallas, currently Prime Minister of Estonia, was proposed as the next High Representative/Vice-President; and António Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, was elected as the next President of the European Council.
The EU Leaders also adopted the strategic agenda 2024-2029, which is articulated around three pillars: a free and democratic Europe, a strong and secure Europe, and a prosperous and competitive Europe. Highlighting the key policy priorities for the 2024-2029 legislative period, the Strategic Agenda calls on EU policymakers to increase defence spending, boost economic competitiveness, prepare for the bloc's enlargement, uphold democratic values, and make the bloc more secure.
Contact: Maxime Staelens
The top priority of the Hungarian Presidency is to adopt a European Competitiveness Deal to increase economic productivity and stimulate growth. In line with the EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029, the Presidency wants to deepen the internal market, support SMEs, and use the Competitiveness Deal to enable the green and digital transitions. The Presidency has also indicated its focus areas, notably creating a ‘technology-neutral industrial strategy’, an ‘open economy’, and a ‘flexible labour market’.
Above all, the Presidency strongly emphasizes applying a holistic approach to competitiveness rooted in ‘partnership with European economic stakeholders and citizens’. This is much in line with the Opinion ‘SGIs for a Sustainable European Competitiveness’ that SGI Europe adopted two weeks ago. SGI Europe’s Opinion stresses the need for the development of a European brand of competitiveness based on the EU’s strengths and values.
Rather than focusing on short-term price competitiveness, this EU-style competitiveness would seek to build a more robust economy from the bottom up by creating the conditions which allow businesses to grow and innovate. To do so, significant and stable investment in SGIs is required, which provide the infrastructures (transport and digital infrastructures, cheap and green energy, circular waste management, clean water, etc.) and skilled workforces (through education and training) that businesses rely upon.
The Green Deal and circularity should also be at the heart of competitiveness. Only this way can dependencies on the import of raw materials be reduced, and the EU can utilise the potential competitive advantages created through the development of innovative green technologies. Moreover, by investing in solid SGIs, the Competitiveness Deal can ensure that besides boosting EU-wide economic growth, local economies around the continent are strengthened, fostering greater social, territorial, and economic cohesion.
Contact: Ruben Sansom
The Hungarian Presidency aims to preserve the EU's leading role in global environmental protection, fostering international partnerships and increasing global green ambition.
The following EU prioritised climate and environmental protection policies will aim to advance the European Green Deal and the “Fit for 55” package. In its programme, the Hungarian Presidency emphasises the need to prepare for and address the adverse effects of climate change, promoting a transition to a green, circular economy. They will focus on boosting European competitiveness while advancing sustainability by setting ambitious climate goals for 2040 and ensuring that no one is left behind.
A significant focus is on implementing the “Fit for 55” package, sharing good practices among Member States, and involving citizens and stakeholders in formulating climate policy. The Hungarian Presidency also aims to adopt COP29 Council conclusions, represent the EU at the UN Climate Change Conference, and advocate for global climate action.
To promote a pollution-free environment, the Presidency will advance legislative proposals to minimise pollution and protect water resources by assessing EU environment policies that protect surface and underground waters quantitatively and qualitatively. The Presidency will also negotiate the Waste Framework Directive, focusing on food and textile waste, and promote the End-of-Life vehicle regulation to support the automotive industry's integration into the circular economy.
Also, the Hungarian Presidency has set an ambitious agenda in the context of the EU Digital Decade policy programme, especially on telecommunications, digitalisation, cybersecurity, and energy. It will hold policy debates on energy security, electricity grid development, and technology neutrality, to ensure affordable, secure, and sustainable energy for EU citizens in line with the long-term goals of the Energy Union strategy.
Enhancing links between transport modes and extending networks will bolster economic development and integration and explore the potential of emerging technologies to enhance EU competitiveness and sustainability.
Contact: Henriette Gleau
An important transversal goal of the Hungarian Presidency when it comes to employment policy will be to address labour demand by mobilising internal labour reserves and effectively deploying the labour supply. In this context, they intend to adopt Council Conclusions on the untapped labour potential in the European Union.
Regarding EU actions, the Hungarian Presidency primarily seeks to conclude the negotiation of new legislative initiatives currently on the agenda or expected to be tabled under the Hungarian Presidency.
A key task they will undertake is finalising the amendment of the directive on European Works Councils. The Hungarian Presidency also aims to continue the discussion of the “traineeships package” (directive and Council recommendation) published at the end of March 2024 and work in due time on a potential new proposal from the European Commission on telework and the right to disconnect.
SGI Europe and its members intend to work constructively with the Hungarian presidency on several important topics they have listed as important in social policy.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
With Hungary taking the lead of the Council of the European Union, it is interesting to understand the country’s position on integrating migrants into the labour market. By realising that the “demographic trends also encourage Member States to promote labour market integration”, the Hungarian Presidency's programme aims to promote integration policies that facilitate the inclusion of migrants and support initiatives for integration. The latter may include providing language training, skills development programmes, and the recognition of qualifications. All these objectives and actions perfectly align with the aim and objectives of SGI Europe’s led LABOUR INT III project.
SGI Europe echoes the Hungarian Presidency's mission to “strengthen the role of public employment services in meeting market needs and to enhance their personalised support and services that promote the activation of the labour force and their entry into and progress within the labour market” and will do its best to promote this vision in the implementation of the project LABOUR-INT III: A multi-stakeholder Initiative for migrant integration into the Labour Market. The project, funded by the European Commission’s DG HOME and implemented by SGI Europe over three years, aims to turn this vision into reality. By enhancing employment opportunities for third-country nationals, and with the collaboration of employers, trade unions, public employment services, and NGOs across different levels and operating in different countries, LABOUR INT III will create multi-layered integration paths for migrants and refugees, from their arrival up to the workplace. By developing practical tools and resources, LABOUR INT III helps both migrants and local stakeholders overcome challenges in welcoming services, skills matching, and providing decent working conditions.
The project’s objectives align perfectly with the Hungarian Presidency’s emphasis on effective migration management and integration strategies. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Hungarian Presidency in continuing to build long-lasting partnerships at the local, regional, national, and European levels, strengthening local capacities, and creating inclusive societies where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Contact: Cecilia Martin
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