Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2014 (13. évfolyam)
2014 / 2. szám - BRIT-MAGYAR KAPCSOLATOK - Knott, Jonathan: Some Thoughts on British-Hungarian Relations, 2014
Some Thoughts on British-Hungarian Relations, 2014 2014 is a year of milestone anniversaries for Europe. One hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War. Seventy years since D-Day and, the following month, the deportation of half a million Hungarian Jews to their deaths in Auschwitz and other camps. It is 25 years since the change of Hungarian regime, 15 years since Hungary joined NATO and ten since EU accession. All momentous events that shaped Europe. 2014 is a year in which we reflect on the past. But also a year in which Europe will make some big decisions about our future. The UK and Hungary will play important roles in deciding the answers to these questions. The bilateral relationship between the UK and Hungary is strong, deep and wide. Our Prime Ministers meet and speak regularly. Our ministers routinely travel between our two countries. But the links are more than this. UK and Hungarian businesses are increasingly investing, trading and selling between the two countries, taking advantage of the Single Market. The UK has benefited from the large numbers of economically active Hungarians who have entered the UK labour market through the rights they enjoy through our joint membership of the EU. The British and Hungarian Governments and people view the EU in often strikingly similar ways. It is a common stance that the role of national governments should be respected. We are both EU members but not members of the Euro-zone. Therefore we both feel it is important that the decisions taken within the Euro-zone and issues around the Euro do not negatively impact non-Euro-zone countries. Both the UK's and Hungary's economic prospects are closely tied to the prosperity of the EU as a whole. The UK and Hungary are big trading nations and we have to build on the advantages of the EU single market to improve trade, create jobs and boost growth. This is also something the two countries very much agree on: opening up markets around the world. I know that some commentators in Europe argue that the UK is disengaging from the EU. That is wrong. In fact the UK is not only engaged but it is at the heart of the debate on how to make the EU better. The UK wants an EU that is more competitive, more democratically accountable, fair for both those in and outside the Euro-zone and more flexible. 2014. nyár 9
