On 16 March 2017, Szabolcs Takács, State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office had talks with Marianne Thyssen, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility.
At the meeting, they reviewed the latest social and employment issues that are particularly sensitive from Hungary’s point of view. Mr Takács pointed out that the internal market is one of the EU’s greatest achievements, and the only means to ensure the EU’s international competitiveness. He expressed disappointment on account of the fact that, instead of promoting the unity of the EU, the European Commission outlines proposals that represent the protectionist interests of certain country groups. The restriction of any of the fundamental freedoms would jeopardise the integrity of the internal market which could lead to the disintegration of the EU. Hungary takes the view that the introduction of any restriction of a discriminatory nature concerning legally operating, competitive service providers and workers is unacceptable. The State Secretary pointed out that Hungary rejects the amendment of the Posted Workers Directive as it regards the amendment as a proposal that jeopardises the competitiveness of the whole of the EU and the integrity of the internal market. The parties agreed on the need for promoting European competitiveness which can only be achieved as a result of a balanced and constructive debate which equally takes the criteria of all of the Member States into consideration.
Mr Takács stressed that, according to the Hungarian approach, growth and job creation must be the top priority, in harmony with the Europe 2020 Strategy. The introduction of mandatory social standards would bring about effects which would be contrary to this goal. Participation in the intensification of the social dimension must, however, also be made possible for Member States outside the Eurozone on a voluntary basis. The State Secretary highlighted: the EU must prevent the departure of Britain from resulting in the weakening of social regulations in the EU 27 Member States.