EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

Europaudvalget 2024-25
EUU Alm.del Bilag 75
Offentligt

MINUTES OF THE LXXII COSAC

UDAPEST

, H

UNGARY

, 28-29 O

CTOBER

2024

Note:

The text of keynote interventions which have been shared with the Presidency will be

published on

IPEX.

A video recording of the full meeting is available via the

webpage of the

Parliamentary Dimension of the Hungarian Presidency.

OPENING SESSION

Mr TESSELY opened the LXXII COSAC by welcoming delegations. He then gave the floor

to Mr László KÖVÉR, Speaker of the Hungarian

Országgyűlés.

In his speech, Mr KÖVÉR recalled that the first Hungarian Presidency of 2011 faced fewer

challenges, than it does in 2024. He urged European politicians to avert the danger of social

and economic destabilisation. He informed his audience that the Presidency events organised

by the Hungarian

Országgyűlés

were attended by hundreds of members of parliaments of

Member States, candidate countries and other invited countries, as well as representatives of

the European Parliament. The Speaker added that the highlight of the semester was the

organisation of the LXXII COSAC. He conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister of

Hungary, Mr Viktor ORBÁN, who unfortunately had to cancel his participation due to an

official visit to Georgia. The Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly then introduced the

topics of the sessions of the LXXII COSAC. Commenting on the topic of the 15th anniversary

of the Lisbon Treaty, he argued that national Parliaments do not enjoy the role in EU decision

making as they ought to, which he attributed to the Commission’s effort to take away

competences from Member States. He reminded COSAC participants on the European

Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) - another innovative tool introduced by the Lisbon Treaty - and said

that the Commission often rejects these for political reasons, as happened with the Minority

Safe Pack initiative. Commenting on the session on demographic trends, Mr KÖVÉR warned

against more migration to Europe and suggested instead to implement family friendly policies

by Member States, aiming at demographic growth. On the topic of European security and

defence, he stressed the need for enhanced external border protection, curbing illegal migration,

increasing internal security and accelerating enlargement with the countries of the Western

Balkans.

PROCEDURAL ISSUES AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

Mr TESSELY presented the draft agenda for the LXXII COSAC plenary meeting, which was

adopted without any comments. He then went on to report from the Troika meeting the

preceding day. The Troika had made significant progress on and agreed to a new draft of the

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

LXXII COSAC Contribution. The document had been communicated to delegations after the

meeting, and there was a possibility to submit new proposals for amendments until 12.00 the

same day (28 October). He then went on to inform delegations about the letters received by the

Presidency. These, which had been made available on IPEX, include requests to participate in

the meeting from the Andorran

Consell General,

Armenian

Azgayin Zhoghov,

Kosovan

Kuvendi i Kosovës,

Monégasque

National Council,

Norwegian

Storting,

Swiss

Assemblée

fédérale

and the United Kingdom

House of Lords.

After consultation with the Troika, these

had been replied to favourably. He also noted that Iceland had cancelled their participation at

a late stage due to the internal political situation. Furthermore, the Presidency received a letter

from the Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the Lithuanian

Seimas,

�½ygimantas PAVILIONIS. The letter referred to two initiatives for joint declarations, on the

halt of LNG imports from Russia and on the external border protection of the EU, respectively.

Mr TESSELY informed delegations that the letters had been published on IPEX and were open

to co-signatures.

Mr. TESSELY welcomed fellow chairs of EU affairs committees attending COSAC for the

first time: Ms Brigitte KLINTSKOV JERKEL (Danish

Folketing),

Mr Peeter TALI (Estonian

Riigikogu),

Mr Erik OTTOSON (Swedish

Riksdag),

Mr Sven SIMON (European Parliament)

and finally he welcomed also Mr Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS (European Parliament) attending

COSAC for the first time as the Vice-President of EP.

SESSION I - PROGRAMME AND RESULTS OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY

OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The session was chaired by Mr TESSELY.

The session began with a keynote intervention by Mr János BÓKA, Minister for European

Union Affairs of Hungary. In his speech the minister recalled the results of the first Hungarian

Presidency of 2011, adding that the situation the EU is facing in 2024 is more complicated and

challenging. He explained that the Hungarian Presidency strives to be the catalyst of much-

needed change in Europe. The Hungarian Presidency, Mr. BÓKA stressed, aims to be an honest

broker and intends to raise issues and make proposals for peace, security and prosperity of

Europe. As regards European competitiveness, the objective is to adopt a new European

competitiveness deal at the informal meeting of the European Council scheduled for 8

November 2024 in Budapest. He emphasised that competitiveness as a horizontal issue has to

be mainstreamed into EU activities in all policy areas. Regarding migration he stressed the

importance of stronger protection of the EU’s external borders, improving cooperation with

third countries on returns, and the development of hotspots outside the EU. Mr BÓKA believed

that the proposal by Prime Minister Mr ORBÁN on regular Schengen-summits would be the

way to save the Schengen Area. The minister put special focus on European security and

defence and on the European Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Industrial Plan. He

explained that enlargement must remain a merit-based, balanced and credible process. Mr

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ

opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

BÓKA underpinned that accelerating the accession process of the Western Balkans is a priority

for the Hungarian Presidency. He concluded his speech by highlighting the necessity of a

strategic review of the Common Agricultural Policy in the next Multiannual Financial

Framework (MFF) and that cohesion policy should remain a backbone of the EU’s investment

policy in the future.

During the following debate, 42 speakers took the floor.

More than a third of those called for more support for Ukraine and expressed their

disappointment that this was not listed among the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. Many

speakers linked this issue to the importance of fundamental values. Along the same lines,

several participants criticised Hungarian Prime Minister ORBÁN for having undertaken

journeys to third countries in a way they considered questionable, and some implied that the

Hungarian Presidency had failed in acting as an honest broker. Among other topics raised, the

importance of strengthening the competitiveness of Europe, as well as the need for a new

industrial strategy, was underscored by many participants. Challenges linked to migration, and

the importance of strong border controls, was similarly a topic raised by several members.

Many speakers, including all speakers from candidate countries, also raised the issue of

enlargement and the importance of making progress in this area.

The following speakers took the floor during this debate:

Peter DE ROOVER (Belgian

Kamer van volksvertegenwoordigers/Chambre des

représentants),

Marek KRZĄKAŁA (Polish

Sejm),

Grzegorz SCHETYNA (Polish

Senat),

Ernő SCHALLER-BAROSS (European Parliament), Hajnalka JUHÁSZ (Hungarian

Országgyűlés),

Markus TÖNS (German

Bundestag),

Gusty GRASS (Luxembourgian

Chambre

des Députés),

Alessandro GIGLIO VIGNA (Italian

Camera dei Deputati),

Mirela FURTUNĂ

(Romanian

Camera Deputaţilor),

Bastiaan VAN APELDOORN (Dutch

Tweede Kamer),

Dimitrios KAIRIDIS (Greek

Vouli ton Ellinon),

Ján FERENČÁK (Slovak

Národná rada),

Jean-François RAPIN (French

Sénat),

Heikki AUTTO (Finnish

Eduskunta),

Brigitte

KLINTSKOV JERKEL (Danish

Folketing),

Harris GEORGIADES (Cypriot

Vouli ton

Antiprosopon),

Telmo FARIA (Portuguese

Assembleia da República),

Arminas LYDEKA

(Lithuanian

Seimas),

Liliana TANGUY (French

Assemblée nationale),

Dagmar

BELAKOWITSCH (Austrian

Nationalrat),

Peeter TALI (Estonian

Riigikogu),

Edmunds

CEPURITIS (Latvian

Saeima),

Erik OTTOSON (Swedish

Riksdag),

Giulio TERZI DI SANT’

AGATA (Italian

Senato della Repubblica),

Francisco José CONDE LÓPEZ (Spanish

Cortes

Generales),

Thomas HACKER (German

Bundestag),

Christian BUCHMANN (Austrian

Bundesrat),

Matilda ERNKRANS (Swedish

Riksdag),

Lucija TACER (Slovenian

Državni

zbor),

Tobias WINKLER (German

Bundestag),

Stefan SCHENNACH (Austrian

Bundesrat),

Szymon SZYNKOWSKI VEL SĘK (Polish

Sejm),

Elvira KOVÁCS (Serbian

Narodna

skupština),

Meryem GÖKA (Turkish

Büyük Millet Meclisi),

Kreshnik ÇOLLAKU (Albanian

Kuvendi i Shqipërisë),

Igor ZDRAVKOVSKI (North Macedonian

Sobranie),

Ivanna

KLYMPUSH TSINTSADZE (Ukrainian

Verkhovna Rada),

Mile LEFKOV (North

Macedonian

Sobranie),

Ilir HASANI (North Macedonian

Sobranie),

Rrezarta KRASNIQI

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

(Kosovan

Kuvendi i Kosovës

), Lord Peter RICKETTS (United Kingdom

House of Lords),

and

Hårek ELVENES (Norwegian

Storting).

SESSION II - THE STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE YEAR OF

INSTITUTIONAL TRANSITION AND THE 15-YEAR APPLICATION OF THE

TREATY OF LISBON

The session was chaired by Mr TESSELY.

The session began with the presentation of the 42nd Bi-annual Report of COSAC made by the

Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat, Mr Jakob SJÖVALL. In his presentation, Mr

SJÖVALL informed that the 42nd Bi-annual Report was based on responses gathered from all

national Parliaments/Chambers and the European Parliament. He further recalled that the

Report consisted of three chapters: 1. The State of the European Union in the year of

Institutional Transition and the 15-year Application of the Treaty of Lisbon; 2. European

Demographic Trends and National and Union Responses and 3. The Enlargement of the

European Union.

The session proceeded with keynote interventions of Mr Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of

the European Commission responsible for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight (video

message), Mr Barna Pál ZSIGMOND, State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of European

Union Affairs, Mr Sven SIMON, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the

European Parliament and Mr Alessandro GIGLIO VIGNA, Chairman of the EU Policies

Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament.

In his video message, Mr ŠEFČOVIČ underlined that the year of institutional transition

allowed putting a pause and making a reflection on what has been done in the last years, but

also what should be done in order to build a better future. He also mentioned that the Treaty of

Lisbon helped the EU adapt to unforeseen circumstances and take swift decisions in the time

of the crisis, simultaneously ensuring a high level of parliamentary scrutiny and democratic

accountability in the EU. He appreciated the growing interest among national Parliaments to

participate in the decision making process at an earlier stage, as well as their active engagement

and suggestions made in the political opinions.

During his intervention, Mr ZSIGMOND focused on the challenges and ambitions of the

Hungarian presidency. He also underlined the need to address the EU’s delay in global

competitiveness, which includes proposals such as the Budapest Declaration on the New

European Competitiveness Deal. Mr ZSIGMOND voiced concerns about the increasing

centralization of EU institutions and shift towards a federal model. He recalled that Hungary

was cautious about calls for institutional reform that would increase federal elements, and

underlined the importance of the dialogue between national Parliaments and EU institutions,

supporting a model that strengthens the role of the Member States rather than the EU

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ

opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

institutions. Mr ZSIGMOND called for a Europe that respects its founding principles and

emphasises consensus as a tool to resolve internal differences.

In his intervention, Mr SIMON underlined that the 15th anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon

was a significant milestone that consolidated the European Union’s legal structure and

empowered its institutions. He also focused on the European Union’s evolution and the need

for continued reform to address current issues such as migration crisis, defence against external

threats, European competitiveness and technological innovation. Mr SIMON highlighted the

significance of the Treaty of Lisbon and the necessity for collective action among EU member

states, criticising bureaucratic processes that hinder timely responses to global and regional

challenges. He emphasised the need to utilise the existing mechanisms of the Treaty of Lisbon

in order to amend and revoke outdated regulations, the increasing national parliament’s

involvement in European legislative process, expanding qualified majority voting and

enforcing subsidiarity principles to reduce overregulation.

In his speech, Mr GIGLIO VIGNA focused on the criticism of the centralization of power,

recalling that the Treaty of Lisbon was supposed to increase democracy and transparency, not

to consolidate power within EU institutions, therefore undermining national sovereignty. He

also noted a decline in the use of directives in favour of regulations, which in his opinion

restricted the ability to address local issues and marginalised national and regional parliaments.

He concluded that the renewed EU should respect national and regional identities, which is

embodied in the Hungarian Presidency’s motto - Make Europe Great Again - Europe that is

strong through diversity, not uniformity.

During the following debate, 32 speakers took the floor.

In the following debate, there were several interventions focused on the role of national

Parliaments in the EU legislative process, including calls to strengthen the tools for subsidiarity

checks and allow for a so-called “green card” initiative to allow a more proactive role for

national Parliaments. Some speakers highlighted that the Lisbon Treaty had proved to be a

flexible framework that has withstood various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic,

economic downturns, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Enlargement was another topic raised

in the debate. The need for internal reform within the EU to accommodate new members

without revising treaties was a common theme. Different speakers emphasised the need for

maintaining momentum in accession talks; ensuring that the EU is prepared for expansion; and

considering strategic integration of neighbouring countries. Furthermore, some speakers

argued for a strengthened common security and defence policy. Some called for moving away

from unanimity to qualified majority voting in this area to improve response times and enhance

EU strategic autonomy. Migration, the rule of law, and the need for Europe to remain

competitive globally were other topics discussed during this debate.

The following speakers took the floor during this debate:

Peter DE ROOVER (Belgian

Kamer van volksvertegenwoordigers/Chambre des

représentants),

Marek KRZĄKAŁA (Polish

Sejm),

Loránt VINCZE (European Parliament),

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

Péter BALASSA (Hungarian

Országgyűlés),

Dimitrios KAIRIDIS (Greek

Vouli ton Ellinon),

Dagmar BELAKOWITSCH (Austrian

Nationalrat),

Ján FERENČÁK (Slovak

Národná rada),

Liliana TANGUY (French

Assemblée nationale),

Seán HAUGHEY (Irish

Houses of the

Oireachtas: Dáil Eireann),

Ivan RAČAN (Croatian

Hrvatski sabor),

Ricardo CARVALHO

(Portuguese

Assembleia da República),

Filippo SCERRA (Italian

Camera dei Deputati),

Miapetra KUMPULA-NATRI (Finnish

Eduskunta),

Liliana REIS (Portuguese

Assembleia da

República),

Marina NIKOLAOU (Cypriot

Vouli ton Antiprosopon),

Manon BOUQUIN

(French

Assemblée nationale),

Riina SOLMAN (Estonian

Riigikogu),

Stefan SCHENNACH

(Austrian

Bundesrat),

Milagros MARCOS ORTEGA (Spanish

Cortes Generales: Congreso

de los Diputados),

Alexander VAN HATTEM (Dutch

Eerste Kamer),

Magnus BERNTSSON

(Swedish

Riksdag),

Jean-Michel ARNAUD (French

Sénat),

Pietro LOREFICE (Italian

Senato

della Repubblica),

Meryem GÖKA (Turkish

Büyük Millet Meclisi),

Ivanna KLYMPUSH-

TSINTSADZE (Ukrainian

Verkhovna Rada),

Anđela VOJINOVIĆ (Montenegrin

Skupština

Crne Gore),

Dubravka FILIPOVSKI (Serbian

Narodna skupština),

Etjen XHAFAJ (Albanian

Kuvendi i Shqipërisë),

Fjolla UJKANI (Kosovan

Kuvendi i Kosovës),

Lord Peter RICKETTS

(United Kingdom

House of Lords),

and Arman YEGHOYAN (Armenian

Azgayin Zhoghov).

At the end of the session, the floor was given to Mr Marek KRZĄKAŁA, Deputy Chair of the

Committee on EU Affairs of the Polish Sejm, who briefly mentioned that during the upcoming

Polish Presidency, COSAC Chairpersons meeting would take place on 26 and 27 January 2025,

and the LXXIII COSAC on 8 to 10 June 2025. The meetings will to a large degree focus on

the topic of security.

MEETING OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF COSAC

The session was chaired by Mr TESSELY. During the meeting, the draft Troika proposal for

the Contribution of LXXII COSAC was discussed. Following several votes on proposed

amendments, an amended draft Contribution was adopted. The adopted text was put forward

for approval by LXXII COSAC at the closing session (see below).

SESSION III - EUROPEAN DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AND RESPONSES AT

NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN LEVEL

The session was chaired by Mr TESSELY.

The session began with a keynote intervention by Ms Zsófia KONCZ, State Secretary for

Families. Ms KONCZ pointed out that the number of children born within the territory of the

current Member States of the European Union had been the lowest since 1960, adding that

Hungary was the lowest ranked among EU Member States in terms of fertility for 15 years.

She explained that in order to withstand these unfavourable demographic trends the Hungarian

government had started to introduce significant changes in its family policy since 2010 altering

its objectives and methods to take a so-called “family-friendly” turn. Ms KONCZ stressed that

as a result, Hungary had managed to move up to the 6th place in terms of fertility among EU

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ

opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

Member States. The Government's family policy has also contributed to 178,000 more children

born in Hungary since 2010. She emphasised that the most effective policy tools in this respect

can be based on three pillars: providing adequate housing, ensuring financial stability and

promoting work-life balance. As an example she mentioned the Family Action Plan, which

consisted of 7 measures when it was launched in 2019: Baby Expecting Subsidy, extension of

Family Housing Subsidy (CSOK), mortgage loan waiver, personal income tax exemption for

mothers with four or more children, car purchase programme for large families, nursery care

development, grandparent’s child care benefit. Completing the picture of introduced measures

she highlighted the Hungarian nursery development, provision of free textbooks, energy

protection subsidies, the grandparent’s child care benefit and the introduction of a 13th month

pension and a pension premium. Ms KONCZ underlined that women's employment had also

gone up significantly since 2010. Hungary had the 7th best female unemployment rate in the

EU by 2023. She concluded her speech by expressing hope that Hungary would succeed in

drawing the attention of the governments of the EU member states to the demographic

challenges facing the whole of Europe and the importance of family policy.

During the following debate, 35 speakers took the floor.

Members mentioned several instances of significant demographic shifts in Europe, such as

ageing and decline of populations, low fertility rate, gender and social inequality and increased

migration, highlighting that these trends pose challenges to social welfare systems, labour

markets and economic growth. Various national strategies aimed to address these demographic

issues, including policies to encourage higher birth rates (e.g. availability of childcare), family

support initiatives (e.g. housing policy, parental leaves, work-life balance initiatives) and

integration programs for migrants were mentioned. Many speakers identified the migration

phenomenon as a solution to the advancing depopulation and encouraged participants to

perceive it more as an opportunity rather than a threat. On the other hand, the problems with

illegal migration have also not gone unnoticed.

The discussion also covered EU-wide strategies aimed at addressing demographic changes,

including funding for regional development, incentives for families and support for labour

mobility within the EU. There was a visible consensus on the need for a proactive stance in

adapting to population trends with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity and the potential

benefits of a diverse workforce. Participants called for ongoing dialogue and collaboration

between member states and EU institutions to implement effective measures.

While most of the Member States underpinned the necessity for cohesive strategies that

combine national and European efforts to tackle the complex demographic landscape of

Europe, some pointed out that demographic trends do not concern all European countries to the

same extent. Therefore some kind of autonomy in setting up national initiatives is needed as a

one-fits-all solution is not possible. The different magnitude and nature of demographic

changes was also emphasised by all candidate countries, which appealed for immediate and

comprehensive action in that matter.

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

During the debate several references were also made to the war in Ukraine and its impact on

migration. It was mentioned that around 6.5 million people have moved from Ukraine to EU

countries since February 2022. In that context, measures to prevent forced migration from the

Ukraine and incentives encouraging migrants to return and engage in reconstruction of their

country were discussed.

The following speakers took the floor during this debate:

Peter DE ROOVER (Belgian

Kamer

van volksvertegenwoordigers/Chambre des représentants),

Patryk GABRIEL (Polish

Sejm),

Romana TOMC (European Parliament), Hajnalka JUHÁSZ (Hungarian

Országgyűlés),

David

KLOBASA (Slovenian

Državni svet),

Gabriela CREȚU (Romanian

Senat),

Adéla ŠÍPOVÁ

(Czech

Senát),

Michael SACHER (German

Bundestag),

Ivan RAČAN (Croatian

Hrvatski

sabor),

Cinzia PELLEGRINO (Italian

Senato della Repubblica),

Ana MENDES GODINHO

(Portuguese

Assembleia da República),

Riina SOLMAN (Estonian

Riigikogu),

Andreja

RAJBENŠU (Slovenian

Državni zbor),

Zoltán ZAKARIÁS (Romanian

Camera Deputaților),

Milagros MARCOS ORTEGA (Spanish

Cortes Generales),

Leonid YURKOVSKIY (Swedish

Riksdag),

Filippo SCERRA (Italian

Camera dei Deputati),

Alexander VAN HATTEM (Dutch

Eerste Kamer),

Evangelos SYRIGOS (Greek

Vouli ton Ellinon),

Tom WEIDIG

(Luxembourgian

Chambre des Députés),

Christos CHRISTOU (Cypriot

Vouli ton

Antiprosopon),

Sari TANUS (Finnish

Eduskunta),

Ana Sofia ANTUNES (Portuguese

Assembleia da República),

Vicente MONTÁVEZ AGUILLAUME (Spanish

Cortes

Generales),

Vladimír ZLÍNSKÝ (Czech

Poslanecká sněmovna),

Franz FAYOT

(Luxembourgian

Chambre des Députés),

Onni ROSTILA (Finnish

Eduskunta),

Ana

JAKOVLJEVIĆ (Serbian

Narodna skupština),

Nikolla CAMAJ (Montenegrin

Skupština Crne

Gore),

Branislav BORENOVIĆ (Bosnian

Parlamentarna skupština),

Etjen XHAFAJ

(Albanian

Kuvendi i Shqipërisë),

Hans-Peter PORTMANN (Swiss

Assemblée fédérale),

Rrezarta KRASNIQI (Kosovan

Kuvendi i Kosovës),

Ahmet Mücahit ARINÇ

(Turkish

Büyük

Millet Meclisi)

and Olena VINTONYAK (Ukrainian

Verkhovna Rada).

SESSION IV - EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE

The session was chaired by Mr TESSELY. The keynote speeches were delivered by Mr

Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Mr Péter

SZTÁRAY, State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mr GONZÁLEZ PONS began by highlighting that the current unstable geopolitical

environment represented a threat for EU values such as democracy, freedom and respect for

international law and singled out, in relation to this, Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked

invasion of Ukraine. In this new context, he noted that the European Union was the necessary

instrument for Member States to ensure that Europe is not, once again, trapped by superpower

rivalry. He stressed the need to intensify cooperation with NATO, while emphasising that

European defence needs to be given more strength, autonomy and capacity to complement

NATO. Mr GONZÁLEZ PONS called for a common European Defence Strategy to strengthen

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ

opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

Europe’s defence industry, provide a collective response to military challenges, and enhance

crisis preparedness to respond to new hybrid threats to the EU’s security. Mr GONZÁLEZ

PONS concluded by committing to use the full potential of interparliamentary cooperation to

ensure that the voice of national Parliaments is properly channelled into the European

Parliament.

Mr SZTÁRAY began by underlining the changed geopolitical situation and multiple security

challenges facing the EU: from the war in Ukraine, to the instability in the Middle East, the

US-China rivalry, the threats posed by climate change or illegal migration. He pleaded for a

clear analysis to allow a frank discussion and joint actions by the EU. Mr SZTÁRAY stressed

that NATO remained the final guarantee of defence for the EU, but that the current material

and ammunition shortages required an increase in defence spending, at least to the agreed two

percent of GDP. He outlined how Hungary had increased its defence spending to secure the

modernisation of the Hungarian armed forces. Mr SZTÁRAY noted that strengthening

European defence was one of the Hungarian presidency's priorities, while stressing the need to

maintain the intergovernmental approach to European security and defence.

During the following debate, 37 speakers took the floor.

Members discussed a variety of aspects relating to European security and defence during the

session. Some speakers underlined that the basis of the EU’s security lies in protecting

democracy and human rights. Numerous interventions placed the emphasis on the need for

common European defence and to better coordinate actions relating to the security agenda,

underlining that there is strength in unity. Some examples of common actions cited included

joint procurement for the defence industry, research and development, and interoperability in

defence capabilities. On the other hand, some members called for Member States’ autonomy

and sovereignty in this policy area. Alignment between the EU and NATO was mentioned

several times.

Another common theme was the need to strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base, with

many speakers calling for increased defence spending. The goal of two percent of GDP

expenditure on defence was mentioned, but some members argued that this is not enough. Some

members called for defence expenditure to be excluded from the EU’s fiscal rules, while others

objected to this. Speakers also called for strategic autonomy in the EU’s defence technologies

and its industrial base, involving also SMEs and universities. There were warnings to not cause

a new arms race, while speakers also underlined the need for a broader concept of security that

included strengthened resilience, hybrid threats and cybersecurity.

Other topics mentioned included: the need for further support to Ukraine and the war in Ukraine

more broadly; the situation in the Middle East; the recent elections in Georgia and questions

about their fairness; the potential impact of the US elections; and Chinese policy on security

and defence. Migration was also linked to the security and defence policy by some members,

stressing the need to fight illegal and weaponised migration. Speakers from candidate countries

indicated the need for advancing on the EU’s enlargement as an essential investment in

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

European security, notably to avoid further Russian interference, particularly in the Western

Balkans.

The following speakers took the floor during this debate:

Mr Vincent BLONDEL (Belgian

Senaat/Sénat),

Mr Henryk SIEDLACZEK (Polish

Senat),

Elena DONAZZAN (European Parliament), Ms Hajnalka JUHÁSZ (Hungarian

Országgyűlés),

Mr Giulio TERZI DI SANT'AGATA (Italian

Senato della Repubblica),

Mr Constantinos

EFSTATHIOU (Cypriot

Vouli ton Antiprosopon),

Mr David KLOBASA (Slovenian

Državni

svet),

Mr Bastiaan VAN APELDOORN (Dutch

Eerste Kamer),

Mr Dimitrios KAIRIDIS

(Greek

Vouli ton Ellinon),

Mr Alessandro GIGLIO VIGNA (Italian

Camera dei Deputati),

Mirela FURTUNĂ (Romanian

Camera Deputaţilor),

Mr Arminas LYDEKA (Lithuanian

Seimas),

Mr Tobias WINKLER (German

Bundestag),

Mr Peeter TALI (Estonian

Riigikogu),

Mr Erik OTTOSON (Swedish

Riksdag),

Ms Gabriela CREȚU (Romanian

Senat),

Ms Dagmar

BELAKOWITSCH (Austrian

Nationalrat),

Mr Thomas HACKER (German

Bundestag),

Lucija TACER (Slovenian

Državni zbor),

Mr Didier MARIE (French

Sénat),

Mr Vicente

MONTÁVEZ AGUILLAUME (Spanish

Congreso de los Diputados),

Ms Liliana REIS

(Portuguese

Assembleia da República),

Ms Eirini DOUROU (Greek

Vouli ton Ellinon),

Matilda ERNKRANS (Swedish

Riksdag),

Mr Mikko POLVINEN (Finnish

Eduskunta),

José María SÁNCHEZ GARCIA (Spanish

Congreso de los Diputados),

Mr Pedro CORREIA

(Portuguese

Assembleia da República),

Mr Wolgang GERSTL (Austrian

Nationalrat),

Vladimír ZLÍNSKÝ (Czech

Poslanecká sněmovna),

Ms Zdravka BUŠIĆ (Croatian

Hrvatski

sabor),

Ms Elvira KOVÁCS (Serbian

Narodna skupština),

Mr Ivan VUKOVIĆ (Montenegrin

Skupština Crne Gore),

Ms Ivanna KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE (Ukrainian

Verkhovna Rada),

Mr Etjen XHAFAJ (Albanian

Kuvendi i Shqipërisë),

Ms Aysu BANKOĞLU (Turkish

Büyük

Millet Meclisi),

Mr Mile LEFKOV (North Macedonian

Sobranie),

Ms Fjolla UJKANI

(Kosovan

Kuvendi i Kosovës)

and Ms Meri GALSTYAN (Armenian

Azgayin Zhoghov).

CLOSING SESSION OF THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE LXXII COSAC

Mr TESSELY referred to the discussions and votes on amendments on the proposal for the

COSAC Contribution during the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC the preceding day.

Ms Ana MENDES GODINHO of the Portuguese delegation announced that a declaration

would be submitted, by which the positive aspects of migration would be highlighted. She

expressed regret at the wording in the agreed text of the COSAC Contribution in this regard.

Mr TESSELY took note of this, while also referring to that proposed amendments with similar

content had been voted on during the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC the preceding

day but without gaining sufficient support to be included in the final text.

Following this, the LXXII COSAC Conclusions and LXXII Contribution were unanimously

adopted by the assembled delegations.

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ

opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

EUU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 75: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Budapest 27-29/10-24

Mr TESSELY summarised that several issues which will determine the future of the EU had

been discussed during the meeting, and thanked the speakers and delegations for their

participation.