The Egmont Institute in Brussels and the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation organized a joint event on December 3, 2024, at the Hungarian House in Brussels. The event focused on presenting key strategies and research findings aimed at boosting the European Union’s competitiveness. The special significance of the event was tied to Hungary’s EU Presidency, which provided an opportunity for experts, economists, and policymakers to engage in discussions on promoting growth and innovation.
During the conference, Hungary’s Minister for European Affairs, János Bóka, emphasized that “we only matter if we have the strength and the ability to project it: we create, produce, trade, and grow.” He added that one of the main achievements of Hungary’s EU Presidency was the adoption of the Budapest Declaration, which could serve as the foundation for a new growth and competitiveness strategy. Hungarian Member of the European Parliament, Ernő Schaller-Baross, pointed out that to remain competitive in the future, it is crucial to accelerate digital transformation, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen internal market policies. He also noted, “We must bring the most important companies back to Europe.”