Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-09-Speech-3-037"
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"en.20030409.3.3-037"2
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".
Mr President, amongst the countries that have distinguished themselves in their efforts to fall in step with the European Union, with a view to becoming members, we have Hungary, whose development and current situation I have sought to portray with objectivity as rapporteur for this Parliament. Today, the time has come for the European Parliament, pursuant to the Treaty on European Union and to its Rules of Procedure, to formalise its position on the application of these countries. We are talking, in the case of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, about States and peoples that are hoping to find within our Union the respect for their identities and independence, the collective security and the economic prosperity that were denied them by the communist dictatorships that subjugated them for almost forty years.
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We therefore have a huge responsibility not to disappoint their expectations. Perhaps this is why, at one point in his report on the conclusions on enlargement Elmar Brok says that accession is not an end in itself, but rather a starting-point for new efforts to be made. We must acknowledge the truth of this, but it is equally true that the step we are taking today constitutes a historical milestone of the greatest political importance, given the repercussions it will inevitably have, not only for the enlarged Union but for the entire European continent with which, due to its size, the Union is beginning to be confused.
It is therefore to be expected that questions are asked and that fears grow about the challenge of bringing together two worlds which, unfortunately, have experienced such different levels of development in recent decades. It must also be emphasised, however, especially at this time of uncertainty created by the Iraq crises and also at a time when confidence in our capabilities is waning, that the accession of ten new countries is solid evidence of Europe’s vitality, which clearly demonstrates its political will to respond positively and democratically to the challenges that history sets for it.
Mr President, Hungary submitted its application to join the European Union on 31 March 1994. Accession negotiations for were opened four years later, in March 1998. From the outset Hungary had been one of the applicant countries where progress, not least in adapting to the requirements of the internal market, had been most striking, and this had helped to maintain the dynamic of the negotiations. Despite maintaining a high public-sector deficit, the Hungarian economy is characterised by one of the highest rates of growth in Europe, by the lowest inflation recorded over the ten previous years and by a relatively low rate of unemployment. It is consequently one of the most best-performing economies in the region.
Furthermore, Hungary has attracted one of the highest rates of direct foreign investment of any applicant country and its gross national product accounts for nearly 13% of the total GNP of all twelve applicant countries. This exceptional economic performance undoubtedly counted in Hungary’s favour in the negotiations on accession, especially if we bear in mind the speed at which this country has adapted to mechanisms befitting a market economy, after forty years of central planning, and the fact that Hungary has paid the social price that this process entailed for the most disadvantaged.
This does not mean, however, that it was easy to reach agreement on all chapters of negotiations. In the sensitive areas of competition policy for example, or of cultural and audiovisual policy, or even on budgetary and financial issues, amongst others, we have seen the ongoing efforts that both the Commission and the Hungarian authorities have made in an attempt to overcome the difficulties. Apart from the technical aspects of the negotiations, however, I wish to recall some facts that have marked the Hungarian socio-political situation during the period in which these negotiations have taken place.
In the resolutions adopted over recent years, Parliament has given prominence to a number of recommendations, in particular those aimed at encouraging the introduction of reforms in the areas of integration of the Roma peoples, improving the social dialogue, efforts to combat corruption and organized crime, strengthening an independent judiciary, increased concern to reduce regional disparities, and, not least, scrupulous adherence to rules governing public-sector tendering.
We have insisted on the need to establish an effective institutional and administrative framework for programming and implementing the structural and cohesion funds. Progress has certainly been made in those areas, and the contribution by the Hungarian authorities has been substantial and will certainly continue. Mr President, we have listened to various Hungarian political leaders proclaim that Hungary is determined to move forward on the road to integration, and wants the Union to be strong and united, not forgetting the need to preserve national identities and cultures. These leaders think they have better prospects of achieving their objectives within the European Union than by going it alone in coping with the impact, favourable or unfavourable, of globalisation.
This is the crucial question that has been asked of the Hungarian people, who in the next few days will express their views in a referendum. Ladies and gentlemen, the people, as always, shall be sovereign and shall determine their own laws, which we must fully respect. As for our role, I am sure that Hungary, one of the oldest of European States, will regain its place in Europe, a place that has always been reserved for it, as a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004. This is why, in my capacity as rapporteur for Hungary in this assembly, I am honoured and happy to ask my fellow Members to support this application, which concludes years of efforts and work and which opens up prospects for a new Europe."@en1
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