Janos Boka: Hungary’s EU Presidency Achieved a Breakthrough in Enlargement

One of the defining priorities of Hungary’s EU presidency was enlargement policy, with a focus on directing attention to the Western Balkans and enabling the region’s countries to take steps toward EU membership, Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka stated in Brussels, on Tuesday. He added that the Hungarian presidency successfully fulfilled this mission.

Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka at an international press conference following the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on December 17, 2024. (Photo: MTI/Tamas Purger)

He acknowledged that this posed a challenging task for the Hungarian presidency, as “currently, the majority of member states have yet to show a genuine willingness to revisit the EU’s Ukraine policy."

Nevertheless, he expressed hope that during Thursday’s EU summit, leaders will take further steps toward “open and honest discussions on how the EU can play an active role that serves the interests of European citizens."

The meeting also resulted in several recommendations concerning competitiveness, which - as Mr. Boka pointed out - “will remain a significant topic within the European Union.

Cover photo: Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka at an international press conference following the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on December 17, 2024. (Photo: MTI/Tamas Purger)