A controversial and busy start to Hungary's turn as the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council has seen it pledge "particular attention to the development of a sustainable and competitive European aquaculture sector."

Policy institute Chatham House noted the role of the member state holding the presidency is "to drive the legislative agenda by chairing Council meetings, ensure good cooperation with the other EU institutions, and ensure the continuation of the EU policy agenda."

"In theory, its powers are primarily focused on the day-to-day functioning of the EU. But barely two weeks in, it is already clear Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is looking to shake things up."

Orban traveled to Ukraine, Moscow in Russia to meet President Putin, and China to meet with Xi Jinping, reportedly upsetting EU leaders by displaying EU flags, resulting in some media outlets in the countries describing the visits as EU-represented. 

In its program for the presidency, Hungary said aquaculture can play a key role in making food production more sustainable while assisting with the mitigation of the food sovereignty challenges "caused by declining sea catches."

"In addition, it will be an important task for the presidency to promote environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable EU fisheries by setting annual allowable catches for fish stocks in a predictable and science-based manner."

"The competitiveness of the European aquaculture sector is central to the fisheries priorities of the Hungarian presidency," it said.

In cooperation with EU member states, it aims to develop a holistic and integrated approach that promotes the development of sustainable marine and freshwater aquaculture within the appropriate institutional framework.

The topic will be on the agenda of the informal meeting of the Directors-General for Fisheries in July, it said.