European Parliament resolution on Hungary's application for membership of the European Union and the state of negotiations (COM(2000) 705 - C5-0605/2000 - 1997/2175 (COS))
Date: 2001-09-05
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Hungary, accession negotiations, accession to the European Union, economic policy, political integration, social policy

21.3.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Wednesday 5 September 2001

61. Welcomes Slovakia(cid:146)s decision to play an active part in the post-Nice debate and to set-up a
(cid:145)National Convention on the European Future of Slovakia(cid:146) which will be responsible for defining Slovakia(cid:146)s
position vis-a-vis how the EU should develop in the future;

Calls on the Commission to reach a common position as soon as possible on the long-standing
62.
demand for a special programme of aid for the EU regions bordering on the candidate countries so that
the money can be released and the programme implemented;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments of

63.
the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Slovakia.

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14. State of accession negotiations with Hungary

A5-0257/2001

European Parliament resolution on Hungary(cid:146)s application for membership of the European Union
and the state of negotiations (COM(2000) 705 (cid:129) C5-0605/2000 (cid:129) 1997/2175 (COS))

The European Parliament,

(cid:129) having regard to Hungary(cid:146)s application for membership of

the European Union, submitted on

31 March 1994, pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union,

(cid:129) having regard to the 2000 Regular Report from the Commission on Hungary(cid:146)s progress towards

accession (COM(2000) 705 (cid:129) C5-0605/2000),

(cid:129) having regard to the Enlargement Strategy paper on progress towards accession by each of the candi-

date countries presented by the Commission (COM(2000) 700),

(cid:129) having regard to the decisions taken by the European Council, notably at Copenhagen (21/22 June
1993), Helsinki (10/11 December 1999), Nice (7-9 December 2000) and Gothenburg (15/16 June
2001),

(cid:129) having regard to the Accession Partnership for Hungary concluded in 1999,

(cid:129) having regard to its resolution of 4 October 2000 on Hungary(cid:146)s membership application to the Euro-
pean Union and the state of negotiations (COM(1999) 505 (cid:129) C5-0028/2000-1997/2175(COS)) (1),

(cid:129) having regard to its resolution of 31 May 2001 on the Treaty of Nice and the future of the European

Union (2001/2022(INI)) (2),

(cid:129) having regard to Rule 47(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

(cid:129) having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security

and Defence Policy and the opinions of the other committees concerned (A5-0257/2001),

A. whereas in June 2000 Hungary became the first associated country to embark on the second phase of

the Association Agreement with the European Community and its Member States,

B. whereas Hungary possesses stable institutions capable of guaranteeing democracy, respect for human

rights and the rule of law,

C. whereas the work of the Hungarian parliament has continued in line with the 2000 programme for

the approximation of legislation,

(1) OJ C 178, 22.6.2001, p. 146.
(2)
(cid:145)Texts Adopted(cid:146), Item 4.

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D. having regard to the progress achieved in the implementation of the public administration devel-
opment and modernisation programme adopted in May 1999, whose key objectives are deregulation,
deconcentration and decentralisation,

E. whereas the training to prepare Hungarian officials for EU accession, covering 17 000 officials

between 1999 and 2002, is progressing satisfactorily,

F. whereas the judicial system is generally continuing to operate in a satisfactory manner and it is hoped
that the backlog of trials pending in the Supreme Court may largely be overcome by training new
judges, recently adopted legislation and the establishment of a new appeal court (Regional Court),

G. whereas the alarming levels of corruption in Hungary mean that

legislative and administrative

measures to combat this phenomenon must be reinforced,

H. whereas Hungary has already subscribed to most of the main international human rights conventions,

and its constitutional rights are adequately protected,

I. whereas the authorities have adopted a programme to modernise existing facilities and build two new

prisons to tackle the problem of prison overcrowding,

J. whereas progress has been achieved in promoting equality between women and men, in the shape of

a new law which reverses the burden of proof in the event of discrimination,

K. whereas legislation has been adopted on social benefits in favour of the handicapped and on public

education and specific job creation programmes,

L. whereas the situation of the Roma population continues to require special attention, despite the fact
that the Hungarian government has already begun to implement its medium-term programme,

M. whereas the macroeconomic situation in Hungary has stabilised and an appropriate institutional
framework is in place to allow the sustained growth of the economy, so that it can cope in the
short term with the pressure of competition and market forces within the European Union,

N. whereas, however, the inflation rate still stands at some 10 % and is thus the main weak spot in

Hungary(cid:146)s macroeconomic situation,

O. whereas the healthcare system is in particular need of urgent reform, despite the steps already taken in

privatising the activities of general practitioners,

P. whereas Hungary continues to make substantial progress in transposing and implementing the acquis

communautaire in most sectors,

Q. whereas Hungary is endeavouring to ensure that the acquis communautaire is fully translated into Hun-

garian, and, whereas some 60 % has already been translated,

R. whereas Hungary has responded satisfactorily to most of the short-term priorities set out in the
Accession Partnership, and has already begun to adopt some measures aimed at achieving the
medium-term priorities set out in this vein,

1. Welcomes the agreement reached by all the political parties represented in the Hungarian Parliament
on Hungarian accession to the European Union, and notes the consensus reached as regards the prior
organisation of a referendum on accession;

2.
Insists, therefore on the need to fix firm dates for the conclusion of negotiations and accession (cid:129)
since the Treaty of Nice has now been signed (cid:129) so as to help forestall any disappointment or even
discontent on the part of the Hungarian public;

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3.
Urges the European Union to pursue the strategy for enlargement mapped out at the European
Council meeting in Helsinki in December 1999, and agrees to the policy of differentiating between the
applicant countries on the basis of merit;

4.
Notes the generally positive reaction of Hungary to the Treaty of Nice, despite the unjustifiable
different treatment in terms of the number of MEPs who will represent the Hungarian people in the
European Parliament; suggests therefore that the number of Hungarian MEPs be increased to 22;

Highlights the desire expressed by the Hungarian Government and Parliament to promote the post-

5.
Nice debate launched by the Union and to play an active role therein;

6.

Confirms once again that Hungary complies with the political criteria set out in Copenhagen;

7.
Draws attention to the fact that the medium-term plan adopted by the Hungarian Government to
promote the integration of the Roma minority in Hungarian society must be backed by practical and
immediate support measures in the fields of education, employment and housing,
inter alia, some of
which are already under way, and which must be coordinated with the representatives of the Roma com-
munity and monitored jointly with them; believes that discrimination against Roma is largely due to exist-
ing prejudices and attitudes and that it can only be eliminated through information and education;

Urges Hungary to decide on and work with all special regulations and privileges for foreign citizens
8.
of Hungarian origin in compliance with the acquis communautaire and with respect to the neighbouring
countries;

Takes note of the adoption of the law on Hungarians living in neighbouring countries, as well as of
9.
the concerns expressed about it by the Governments of Romania and Slovakia; calls on the Commission to
present an evaluation of this type of law in general with regard to its compatibility with the acquis, as well
as with the spirit of good neighbourhood and cooperation among Member States;

10.

Calls for the opposition parties to be adequately represented on the boards of the public media;

11.
Recommends that, despite all the legislation adopted and implemented, the Hungarian government
and all the authorities involved should systematically intensify the fight against corruption, and be equally
resolute in tackling organised crime, drugs, prostitution and the trafficking in human beings which is
linked to it;

Stresses that Hungary is a country of origin, transit and destination for the widespread trafficking of
12.
women and children for prostitution and sexual exploitation; calls on the Hungarian Government to take
forceful measures to combat trafficking in human beings and child prostitution, and to ensure that victims
and witnesses are guaranteed protection, health care, and legal and psychological assistance;

13. Wishes in this regard that Hungary continue to participate in Community programmes, notably the
fifth action programme on equal opportunities for women and men (2001-2005); calls on the Commission
and on Hungary systematically to incorporate the concept of (cid:145)gender mainstreaming(cid:146) in all policies and
reforms undertaken;

14.
Calls on the Hungarian government to eliminate provisions in the penal code that discriminate
against homosexual men and lesbian women, notably Article 199, a provision that is declared contrary to
the European Convention on Human Rights by the European Commission of Human Rights;

15.
Notes that the economic problems, the opening-up of borders, organised crime and the increase in
the severity of prison sentences as well as the failure to renovate prisons over the last 40 years have led to
serious overcrowding, and therefore encourages the Hungarian authorities to allocate the necessary finan-
cial means to rehabilitate existing prisons and build a second new prison centre, to help solve the problem
of prison overcrowding in Hungary;

16.
Notes that the state, employers and employees are all doing more to promote a representative and
autonomous social dialogue, and reminds the Hungarian government and the social partners that increased
efforts are needed in the field of social conciliation; welcomes, however, the approximately 60 % rise in the

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national minimum wages, and calls on the Hungarian government to encourage the signing of collective
bargaining agreements by industrial sectors, alongside the existing company agreements;

17.
Highlights the consolidation of the macroeconomic situation in Hungary, which has improved over
the last year, as indicated by the growth of the economy, foreign investment, employment and productivity
and exports;

18.
Urges the Hungarian government and the Hungarian monetary authorities to focus all their efforts
on combating inflation, which is still far higher than the eurozone average, and at the same time to
streamline public finances;

19.
Takes note of the decision by the Hungarian Government and Parliament to adopt a two-year
budget, primarily in order to establish a stable and predictable budgetary framework which will facilitate
the conclusion of accession negotiations;

20.
Draws attention to the considerable disparities between regions in Hungary, and notes that cur-
rently all regions would be eligible under Objective 1; proposes that the government adopt a determined
approach to Hungary(cid:146)s existing regional disparities and promote economic and social cohesion within the
country, and intensify its efforts in the preparation for EU structural funds;

21.
Notes the adoption of a new labour code based on the principle of the flexibility and mobility of
labour with a view to adapting the rules and organisation of the labour market to the need for economic
growth and professional skills;

22. Warns the Hungarian government of the need to complete the setting-up of the administrative
structures for the implementation of the CAP, notably in the veterinary and plant health subsectors,
given that these are the basic structures of the acquis communautaire in agriculture;

23.
Remains particularly mindful of the ongoing harmonisation of the legislative framework governing
the environment, and particularly issues concerning its practical implementation and integration in other
policy areas; notes in particular the recent progress achieved in coordination at ministerial level and the
consequent increase in the powers of the Ministry of the Environment;

24.
Highlights the concern shown by the Hungarian authorities to cooperate with neighbouring coun-
tries in protecting and rehabilitating the environment; emphasises the progress achieved in monitoring air
quality, and in particular the agreement reached with the six main electricity power plants on reducing
pollution caused by emissions;

25.
Reminds the Hungarian government of the need to bring Hungarian legislation more closely into
line with European legislation in the field of transport, particularly as regards the need for effective means
to ensure that social and environmental standards in this field are met; notes that within the framework of
the common transport policy, new Community laws of great importance for restructuring in this sector
need to be adopted before Hungarian accession;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the Parlia-

26.
ments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Hungary.

15. State of accession negotiations with Bulgaria

A5-0258/2001

European Parliament resolution on Bulgaria(cid:146)s application for membership of the European Union
and the state of negotiations (COM(2000) 701 (cid:129) C5-0601/2000 (cid:129) 1997/2179(COS))

The European Parliament,

(cid:129) having regard to Bulgaria(cid:146)s application for membership of

the European Union, submitted on

15 December 1995, pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union,