German-Hungarian Forum, 16th Annual Conference
The 16th Annual Conference of the German-Hungarian Forum took place on 10 November 2006 at the Delegation of Brandenburg to the Federation in Berlin. The discussion focused on the need for reform and a better capacity to act for the enlarged Union.
Steps Toward the Further Integration of Europe — Impetus from Germany and Hungary
More than 200 experts from politics, business, academia and the media toke part in this bilateral dialogue.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Hungarian counterpart Kinga Göncz used this occasion to affirm the joint engagement of German and Hungary for the adoption of the European Constitutional Treaty.
Steinmeier emphasised the necessity of an economically dynamic Europe that will become more efficient internally and externally. He called the EU a success story that has guaranteed peace and well-being over a long period of time. Still, Europe has today lost many of its citizens to the camp of the sceptics. The recipe for this, however, is not less Europe, but more Europe. Of course, the EU should not overwhelm itself with the speed of future enlargements as long as the necessary institutional reforms are unable to keep pace.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz underlined the fact that Hungary is a reliable proponent and partner in the question of the European Constitutional Treaty. She expects concrete progress for the internal reform process of the EU during the German Council Presidency and indicated at the same time that reforms will only become more painful, the later they are seriously confronted.
Brandenburg’s Minister President Matthias Platzeck gave emphasis in his welcome address to the common goal of deepening European integration. Only by doing this can Europe continue to exist in an environment of global competition with other continents. Europe must do more to show its face and must thus implement the Constitutional Treaty.