New Council Presidency
Hungary presents programme for upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.
HS – 06/2024
Hungary
will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from
1st July to 31st December as the last country in the current trio presidency.
On 18th June, the Hungarian Minister for Europe, Janos Boka, presented the programme. Under the slogan "Make Europe Great
Again", the focus will be on increasing Europe's competitiveness and
defence capabilities, mitigating illegal migration and on a
"farmer-oriented" EU agricultural policy.
Demographic
challenges resulting from the ageing of European societies, unsustainable
social systems and labour shortages are also an overarching priority. Many of
the initiatives that are to be promoted or initiated in the area of health and
social policy are related to the desired increase in competitiveness as well as
the demographic and labour market challenges.
Labour mobilisation as a key challenge
The
Hungarian Council Presidency views the labour shortage as an obstacle to
economic growth. The mobilisation of the inactive working-age population is
also key against the backdrop of demographic change. In this context, the
Hungarian programme emphasises the employment policy objectives within the
framework of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Particular attention is to
be paid to the labour market integration of young people – during or shortly
after training or studies – as well as older workers. The latter should be
given the opportunity to work longer if they so wish. In particular, the
Hungarian Council Presidency is planning Council conclusions on the untapped
labour potential in the EU.
Improving working conditions
Furthermore,
the Hungarian presidency emphasises the need for promoting work-life balance,
better working conditions and high-quality jobs. These factors have a major
influence on the mental and physical health of employees. They therefore also
have an important role to play in addressing the demographic and labour market
challenges. In terms of specific initiatives, the Hungarian Presidency would
like to push ahead with negotiations on the “traineeship package” (directive
and Council recommendation) and start negotiations in the Council on a
Commission proposal expected before the end of the year regarding the right to disconnect
and telework.
Further development of occupational health and safety legislation
Occupational
health and safety will also be a topic. One focus will be on the implementation
of the European Occupational Health and Safety Framework Strategy for 2021–2027.
In this context, the Hungarian Presidency expects the publication of a new revision
package of the directive on occupational safety limits for carcinogenic,
mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances in September 2024. This will also set occupational
safety and health rules for cobalt, which is widely used in battery production.
Health promotion in the context of demographic change
In the
area of health policy, the Hungarian Council Presidency wants to make as much
progress as possible in the negotiations on the pharmaceutical package with the
aim of establishing competitive, sustainable and patient-centred pharmaceutical
regulation. Council conclusions on combating cardiovascular diseases are also
to be adopted as a priority. The Hungarian Council Presidency understands this
in the context of the overarching priorities of demographic developments and
European competitiveness. It is also in this context that the Hungarian
Presidency intends to address the practical issues of organ donation and
transplantation in the form of Council conclusions.
Other topics in the area of social affairs
Over the
next six month, projects for the Hungarian Council Presidency include
supporting the current evaluation of the European Labour Authority by the
European Commission, social inclusion with a special focus on the integration
of people with disabilities and the reform of the regulation on the
coordination of social security systems.