Energy, transport and environment plans for the Hungarian Presidency – Euractiv

Hungary will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months on July 1. Euractiv reviews the indicative programme of Hungary’s six-month presidency of the Council in the areas of energy, transport and environment.

Legislation will be quieter during Hungary’s presidency, although it will take over ongoing legislation from the current Belgian presidency. Hungary’s presidency overlaps with the end of the EU’s five-year term. The new European Commission should take office in early autumn and will need time to define its priorities and develop a work plan.

Hungary wishes to focus its efforts on the following:

vitality

The presidential palace does not expect to advance any legislative proposals.

Instead, it will focus on promoting geothermal energy. Hungary’s decision to put geothermal energy on the agenda comes at a time when European Parliament and Regional Committee Earlier this year, the European Parliament voted almost unanimously to approve the European Geothermal Energy Strategy.

A conference on the topic will be held in Budapest on September 29, 2024.

The Hungarian presidency also plans to discuss the 27 national energy and climate plans and the development of the electricity grid.

transportation

The new Hungarians want the Council to negotiate with the European Parliament a compromise text on driving license rules, better emissions measurement for transport and the mandate of the European Maritime Safety Agency.

They will work towards agreeing a Council position on laws relating to passenger rights, multimodal freight transport and EU-wide driver disqualification for serious offences.

Finally, Hungary hopes to reach an agreement on better use of European rail infrastructure capacity if the Belgian presidency fails to conclude negotiations with Parliament.

environment

Hungary will work to advance negotiations with Parliament on proposed laws on soil health, greenwashing rules, water pollutants, and waste disposal and recycling.

They will also try to agree a Council position on microplastic limits.

The controversial Nature Restoration Law will most likely not be passed and is not included in Hungary’s indicative program.

(Editing by Donagh Cagney/Rajnish Singh)

Read more by Euractiv