Consultative Body on EU Affairs

The EU Consultation Meeting was established by Act LIII of 2004 on Cooperation between  Parliament and the Government on European Union Affairs. The meeting is convened by the Speaker in order to provide a forum for a dialogue on EU affairs between the Government and Parliament. The goal of the consultation is to review questions on the agenda for the European Council meeting (or other events of strategic importance) and to discuss Hungarian positions that are to be represented by the Government. The Consultation Meeting, as the highest form of parliamentary control over the Government before European Council summits, also fulfilled an important role in preparation for the EU Presidency 2011.

Act XXXVI of 2012 on the National Assembly maintained previous practices; however, the name has been changed to the Consultative Body on European Union Affairs. Its scope of activity has not undergone any modifications: it provides a forum involving the Prime Minister to discuss matters of current relevance as well as to formulate the Hungarian opinion to be represented in the European Council.

Pursuant to Sec. 69(2) of the Act on the National Assembly, "prior to European Council meetings and other European Union events of strategic importance, and at the initiative of the Speaker, the Prime Minister shall inform the Consultative Body of European Union Affairs." Regarding the participants of the meeting, Sec. 69(3) stipulates: "the Speaker, the leaders of parliamentary groups, the chairperson and vice-chairpersons of the Committee on European Affairs, the chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, the chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and other persons invited by the Speaker are entitled to take part in a meeting of the Consultative Body on European Union Affairs."

The agenda for the meeting follows the points of the agenda of the European Council in question. As discussions concentrate on Hungarian policy objectives and negotiation tactics, the meetings of the Consultative Body on European Union Affairs are naturally held in camera. Sessions are organised by the EU Department of the Directorate for Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly.

Consultative Body on EU Affairs 2022-2026

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