Budapest Declaration - How to make Europe great again!
Strasbourg 27/11/2024 - The European Parliament debated the Budapest Declaration on a new European Competitiveness Pact at today's plenary session on the proposal of the Patriots for Europe Group. In her speech, Enikő Győri, Fidesz MEP, coordinator of economic issues of the Patriots for Europe Group, pointed out that "The Letta and Draghi reports have expressed what Europeans, workers, farmers and companies have been feeling for years: it is harder to pay the bills, it is hardly possible to develop, invest and produce. This is what the loss of competitiveness means in everyday life. It is the result of the crises of the last decade and a half and of bad EU economic policy. This is the legacy of Mrs von der Leyen's first Commission, and we are bearing the consequences of it today. The Hungarian EU Presidency has set itself the goal of improving economic problems by focusing on increasing competitiveness. We want to make Europe great again!"
The Budapest Declaration, the highest-level commitment of the leaders of the 27 member states to repair the economic damage caused by Brussels and to set a new direction for Europe, is a major achievement of the Hungarian EU Presidency.
MEP Enikő Győri stated that it is time to get down to work in the European Parliament: less ideology and rhetoric, more work and unity. The Heads of State and Government in Budapest have already succeeded by signing the Budapest Declaration. This is the only way to close the innovation and productivity gap and improve competitiveness for the benefit of all EU citizens, businesses and Member States. It is the only way to sustain the European welfare society. I urge the new Commission to come up with a pragmatic, business-friendly action plan within the first 100 days. Let's make Europe great again."
Background: The Budapest Declaration on Competitiveness was adopted by EU leaders in Budapest on 8 November 2024. A key element of the declaration is the simplification revolution. The Commission has been promising for a year but has failed to deliver: now it must come up with a concrete plan to cut red tape by 25% within six months. The declaration also commits the Commission to ensure that no future legislation is drafted without an impact assessment and a competitiveness test. Enikő Győri proposed that this should also apply to parliamentary amendments, thus increasing the responsibility of MEPs in the legislative process.
No competitiveness turnaround without investment. For this, public and private funding must be mobilised. Financial market barriers are causing an annual outflow of EUR 300 billion into the US economy. The Declaration is clear: the Commission should come forward with a concrete roadmap to break down barriers to the single market within six months.
The world's 20 largest companies are not European. Without serious research, development and innovation, Europe is lost, so it is good that the declaration states that 3% of GDP must be used for this purpose.
It is vital to have connectivity so that it can trade in as many directions as possible on a rules basis. Our agreements should provide mutual benefits to our partners.
The declaration says: a new industrial strategy is needed to renew European industry, and affordable energy is needed to achieve this. If we do not double investment in the short term to modernise the electricity grid, if we do not interconnect our energy systems, if we do not stabilise energy prices and respect the right of every Member State to define its own energy mix, we will not have a European industry, the EU will fall behind the other regions of the world. Greening also needs to be adapted to Europe's capacity to deliver.