Hungarian Presidency of the CoE: the most important tech & telco agenda points

#1 Financial Services: Capital Markets Union, Payment Services Review, Digital Euro

The Hungarian Presidency intends to continue discussions on the Capital Markets Union, the review of the payment services package, the digital euro, and access to financial data.

#2 Cyber: the future of Chat Control is not over? 

With the Belgian Presidency removing the CSAM/Chat Control vote from COREPER on June 20, some have commented that Hungarians are unlikely to be interested in continuing the topic. Nevertheless, the Hungarian Presidency itself expressed a wish to continue work on combatting children’s sexual abuse and exploitation online. 

“Our Presidency will continue to work on developing a long-term legislative solution to prevent and combat online child sexual abuse and on the revision of the directive against sexual exploitation of children. In the context of electronic cross-border judicial cooperation, the subject matter presents multiple high-level challenges in terms of both substantive criminal law and procedural law.”

#3 AI in e-Justice 

Hungarian Presidency outlined a wish to explore the use of artificial intelligence in the justice sector and seek pratical solutions and products. 

“Establishing the foundations for the future of e-Justice and the policy orientations in this area through the relevant e-Justice Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2028 makes it timely to develop and properly follow up on new projects. One of the key elements in this context is to identify and promote the potential of innovative technologies in the justice field.”

#4 Push for the right to telework

Hungarians criticized the failure of EU 'social partners' to reach an agreement on “the right to disconnect and telework” and expect it to be replaced by a more imperative Commission proposal by the end of 2024, which the CoE will negotiate afterward. 

The EU's 'right to telework' refers to a framework established to ensure that employees across Member States have the option to work remotely under fair conditions.

#5 Media literacy gaps addressed

Hungarian Presidency also wishes to assess and address the digital and media literacy gaps at national and EU levels and determine necessary intervention areas. 

#6 Review of the European Commission’s white paper on the future of telecommunications in Europe

Hungarian Presidency intends to continue the discussion on the future of the European telecommunications sector and adopt conclusions reflecting on the white paper of the European Commission. The Commission's white paper reflected a few key areas for development:

• Creating the 3C - connected collaborative computing network
• Completing the digital single market - the idea later reflected in Enrico Letta's report
• Development of quantum and post-quantum communication technologies
• Improving the security of submarine cable infrastructures
• Establishing high security standards for end-to-end connectivity
• Addressing the need of over 200 billion euros needed for connectivity alone
• Green aspect of fiber, 5G, 6G and other technologies

 #7 Belgian initiatives on digital diplomacy continued

The Hungarian Presidency intends to continue the Belgian Presidency’s work on European digital diplomacy. Some of the mosre interesting digital diplomacy discussions initiated by the Belgians:

• Reorganization of the EU's internal structure for digital governance. Currently, digital matters are dispersed across over 150 working parties, leading to inconsistency. The proposal suggests creating a new working party focused on international digital topics and emphasizes the need for cohesive policies, better coordination, and regular high-level discussions to defend European interests effectively.
• EU-Africa dialogue on digital diplomacy and cyber. The Belgian presidency, alongside the European External Action Service and the European Commission, hosted the first informal meeting of EU and African Cyber and Digital Ambassadors to foster policy dialogue amid rising geopolitical competition in digital and tech sectors.

#8 Roaming for Ukraine, Moldova (and Georgia with the Western Balkans later)

The Hungarians will continue to work to include third countries in the EU’s roaming area, first with Ukraine and Moldova and then focusing on Georgia and the Western Balkan countries. 

#9 Evaluation of DSA & DMA 

 The Hungarian Presidency’s agenda will also include an evaluation of the implementation of the Digital Services and the Digital Markets Act. 

#10 Help to implement the AI Act & eIDAS 2, Interoperable Europe Act, Single Digital Gateway Regulation

 The Hungarians will initiate consultations and know-how exchanges on implementing the AI Act and will initiate measures to help countries better implement the European Digital Identity Regulation, the Interoperable Europe Act, and the Single Digital Gateway Regulation.  No concrete measures except for 'thematic workshops' have been mentioned.