| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Orszaggyules
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| Date of creation |
June 1992 |
| Last renewal date |
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| Mandate |
The Committee, being a standing committee of the National Assembly, takes part in the activities of Parliament to monitor the functioning of the Government. This means that the Committee may decide to hear representatives of the Government on certain issues, namely to hear the Government about national guidelines regarding the economy in general and the WTO, and hear the government before or after meetings of the WTO.
The Committee may also invite experts and civil society bodies to hear their opinions on the state of WTO affairs. The Committee takes part in the preparation of relevant legislative proposals, and may act as a filter before the proposal enters the plenary. The Committee may also submit proposals for amendments to each draft proposal concerning WTO affairs. The Committee also may pre-examine texts of multilateral, regional or bilateral trade agreements before they enter the plenary for ratification.
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| Membership |
At the moment, the Committee is composed of 21 members, all MPs. Seats are distributed based on the size of each parliamentary group. The members are nominated for a four-year term of office (one parliamentary term), but minor changes may occur during the term as well. |
| Working methods |
Items are selected and put on the agenda based on their importance. The Committee is empowered to hold hearings and to summon government officials. The Committee decides on issues by a majority vote. Implementation of the Committee's decisions may be followed up either by holdings a hearing or by asking the Government to present a report in writing.
Meetings are generally open to the public, and in camera meetings may be held if the Government or the Committee decides to disclose confidential data. The Committee does not publish public reports on WTO affairs. The Committee receives information on trade matters mainly through the Committee secretariat and from Government.
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| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
The Committee enjoys close relations with other standing committees of the National Assembly. The Committee may request the Speaker of the House to appoint an ad hoc committee to examine a certain problem. The ad hoc sends its opinion to the Committee in writing.
The Committee may create sub-committees to examine special questions. It may also hold joint meetings with other committees. Members of the Committee may take part in meetings of others committees as observers to get information on important issues. The Committee may invite members of other standing committees to request information about the opinion of the other committees on a certain issue.
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| Relations with external bodies |
The Committee enjoys a close working relationship with the Government. The Committee may ask representatives of the Government to appear at Committee meetings for hearings or to prepare special reports on selected issues.
The Committee may invite civil society bodies to give their opinion on an issue, or civil society may indicate that they wish to be heard by the Committee.
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| Subjects dealt with |
The Committee recently dealt with the question of agricultural subsidies in the European Union, namely the CAP reform. The Committee is planning to start hearings on the planned "sugar reform" of the European Union. Also, the Committee has studied the China-EU textile negotiations at the level of Committee experts. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
1357 Budapest, Pf.:2 |
| Phone |
+361 441 43 02 |
| Fax |
+361 441 40 54 |
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PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
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| Name |
Mr. Mátyas Eörsi |
| Notes |
President, Committee on European Affairs |
| Address (if different from above) |
1357 Budapest, Pf.:2 |
| Phone |
+361 441 43 02 |
| Fax |
+361 441 40 54 |
| E-mail |
matyas.eorsi@parlament.hu |
| Website |
http://www.parlament.hu
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SECRETARY
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| Name |
Mr. László Juhász |
| Notes |
Chief Adviser |
| Address (if different from above) |
1357 Budapest, Pf.:2 |
| Phone |
+361 441 43 02 |
| Fax |
+361 441 40 54 |
| E-mail |
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| web site: |
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| Notes |
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| Address (if different from above) |
1357 Budapest, Pf.:2 |
| Phone |
+361 441 43 02 |
| Fax |
+361 441 40 54 |
| E-mail |
laszlo.juhasz@parlament.hu |
| web site: |
http://www.parlament.hu
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| Notes |
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