Ambassador of Hungary, Laszlo Dux, at the Conference “Macedonian Perspectives: How to get to Europe?” spoke about the Hungarian experience and the main changes that are awaiting Macedonia on its road to the European Union.
“Hungary signed an agreement with the European Community in 1994, started negotiations in 1998, and joined the Union in 2002. You understand that this process is becoming longer and longer, and all countries are in a different position. In 2000, we had a referendum on joining the EU, where an enormous percentage of the citizens were ‘for’ joining. All in all, in the past 15 years we can say that this process has been a real success. The economic convergence was very positive. Hungary achieved around 67% of the European GDP average, and now it even largely exceeds the average in the EU”, stressed Dux.
“In 2008 and 2009, we were also affected by the economic crisis, though, however, I think that this entire process did contribute to a great economic success. The European barometer shows that 61% of Hungarians believe that it is good that they are part of the European Union, while 18% consider that it is not positive. That is all right, especially if you compare the situation with
other EU members, specifically with the new member states. Though, maybe they are not the most relevant example.
When we joined the Union in 2004, there were many discussions, but the general conclusion is that the process did not make the decision making more difficult. In the past several years, it seemed as if though we had different issues between the East and the West, but, Europe was able to make big decisions”, he said.
In regards to the challenges that are awaiting Macedonia on its road to the EU, Dux highlighted that it is better to enter negotiations with cleared problems and implemented reforms.
“I would like to end by wishing Macedonia luck on this long and difficult path, and I am sure that Hungary will continue to support and give technical and every other assistance in this respect”, said the Ambassador.
