High-level Meeting of the Hungarian EU Presidency
“Towards an ESS Vision 2030”
Balatonfüred, 12–13 September 2024
We are pleased to invite you to the High-level Meeting “Towards an ESS Vision 2030” to be held on 12 and 13 September 2024 in Balatonfüred, under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting is jointly organized by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and Eurostat.
It will provide an opportunity to reflect on a possible common ESS Vision, its format, time horizon, potential objectives and key elements it could include.
Date and Venue
Anna Grand Hotel Balatonfüred
12–13 September 2024
Balatonfüred
Balatonfüred, a small town on the north shore of Lake Balaton, is surrounded by gently sloping hills. Inhabited since Roman times, it was first mentioned in estate records in 1211 as a church estate. A long-standing tourist attraction, Balatonfüred became a recognized healing resort in 1971 due to its officially approved acidulous spring water. The town is known for its Mediterranean-like climate and carbonic acid-rich spring waters. Its significant development began in the 18th century, becoming a favourite meeting place for artists.
Anna Grand Hotel
The history of the Anna Grand Hotel dates back to 1748 when the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany built a guesthouse for visitors seeking to enjoy the mineral waters. The hotel offers a unique blend of 18th-century elegance and modern comfort, standing as an iconic building in Balatonfüred. In 1889, it was named the Anna Grand Hotel. After various challenges, the hotel was renovated in 1913, with its classicist features reborn in the spirit of Art Nouveau. Following reconstruction, it reopened in 2009 as the Anna Grand Hotel Wine & Vital.
Ensuring a smooth and efficient reservation process to Anna Grand Hotel please click here for a Booking form to be filled and sent to the Hotel directly. Please note that the specific room contingent in Anna Grand Hotel, the venue of the HLM meeting, is guaranteed until 12 August.
Transportation from Budapest to Balatonfüred
Upon request and based on registration details, we will arrange a direct bus transfer from Budapest to Balatonfüred and back. Kindly indicate your preference for this service when completing the online registration for the event.
By railway (MÁV – Hungarian National Railway)
Balatonfüred is around 135 km away from Budapest, and it takes approx. 2 hours to get there by train. Trains depart from the Déli Pályaudvar (South Railway station, Budapest 1012). Check the website for the timetable.
The tickets are available at vending machines placed at the railway station or electronically.
By taxi
You may opt to take a taxi from the airport, which typically takes approximately 2 hours by car. The fare for a ride to Balatonfüred is generally around 210 EUR (80,000 HUF), though this may vary depending on traffic conditions.
Weather
In September, Balatonfüred experiences mild and pleasant weather, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C. The climate is generally sunny, with occasional rain showers. This makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities and enjoying the natural beauty of the region. The lake temperature typically remains warm enough for swimming, averaging around 20°C.
Little Hungarian Vocabulary
- Magyarország (ma-djar-or-saag) – Hungary
- Jó napot kívánok! (yoh nu-pot khee-vha-knock) – Good morning!
- Jó étvágyat kívánok! (Yoh-eht-vah-jot khee-vha-knock) – Bon appetit!
- Viszontlátásra! (vee-sont-laa-taash-raa) – Goodbye!
- Köszönöm! (khoe-se-noem) – Thank you!
- Egészségére! (Ag-esh-sheg-eh-reh) – Cheers!
- Elnézést! (el-naez-esht) – Excuse me!
- Kérem! (khay-rem) – Please!
- Igen (egh-an) – Yes
- Nem (nam) – No
- Gyógyszertár (dgodg-ser-taar) – Pharmacy
- Étterem (ai-ther-am) – Restaurant
- Reggeli (rhe-ghe-lee) – Breakfast
- Ebéd (a-baid) – Lunch
- Vacsora (va-cho-rah) – Dinner
- Innivaló (in-ni-vha-lo) – Drink
- Étel (ai-tel) – Food
Draft Agenda
Day 1: Thursday, 12 September 2024, 12:30 – 17:30 CET
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Registration and welcome buffet |
|---|---|
| Plenary | New Vision for the ESS |
| 13:30 – 13:40 | Opening and welcome Mr. Áron KINCSES and Ms. Mariana KOTZEVA |
| 13:40 – 14:10 | The necessity and reason behind the need for a new Vision for the ESS Ms. Mariana KOTZEVA and Mr. Áron KINCSES |
| 14:10 – 14:20 | Family Photo |
| Session 1 | Data pillar of the new Vision |
| 14:20 – 14:25 | Breakout into groups Participants will be split into 3 groups |
| 14:25 – 15:55 |
Breakout sessions (Data pillar of the new Vision) S1 Data Integration and Collaboration: Mr. Etienne CARUANA S2 Data Quality: Mr. Tobias THOMAS S3 Relevance: Ms. Lidija BRKOVIĆ |
| 15:55 – 16:15 | Coffee break |
| 16:15 – 17:30 |
Plenary: Report on conclusions from breakout sessions Chair: Ms. Elena MANZANERA Speakers: Mr. Etienne CARUANA Mr. Tobias THOMAS Ms. Lidija BRKOVIĆ Discussion |
| 18:30 | Transfer from Hotel Anna Grand to dinner venue |
| 19:00 | Wine tasting and dinner |
| 21:30 | 1st transfer back to Hotel Anna Grand |
| 23:00 | 2nd transfer back to Hotel Anna Grand |
Day 2: Friday, 13 September 2024, 9:15 – 13:10 CET
| Session 2 | Methods pillar of the new Vision |
|---|---|
| 9:15 – 10:15 |
Breakout sessions (Methods pillar of the new Vision) Participants will be split into 3 groups. S1 Technological Integration: Mr. Athanasios THANOPOULOS S2 Methodological Consistency: Ms. Hrafnhildur ARNKELSDÓTTIR S3 Agility and Responsiveness: Mr. Georges-Simon ULRICH |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Coffee break |
| Session 3 | Operation pillar of the new Vision |
| 10:30 – 11:30 |
Breakout sessions (Operation pillar of the new Vision) Participants will be split into 3 groups. S1 Building Trust and Transparency: Mr. Marek ROJIČEK S2 Compliance and Security: Mr. Joakim STYMNE S3 Human Resources and Resource Allocation: Ms. Marie VANDRESSE |
| 11:35 – 12:50 |
Plenary: Report on conclusions from breakout sessions Chair: Mr. Markus SOVALA Presentation of main findings of the breakout sessions Speakers: Mr. Athanasios THANOPOULOS Ms. Hrafnhildur ARNKELSDÓTTIR Mr. Georges-Simon ULRICH Mr. Marek ROJIČEK Mr. Joakim STYMNE Ms. Marie VANDRESSE Discussion |
| 12:50 – 13:10 | Closing Ms. Mariana KOTZEVA and Mr. Áron KINCSES |
| 13:15 | Lunch |
Programme option for accompanying person – Guided walking tour
On demand a self-paid guided walking tour of Balatonfüred can be arranged for an accompanying person. The guide will share valuable insight and knowledge into the history of the charming town and will provide a local perspective on things. The walk will take approximately 2 hours. The fee for the tour is 10 euros/per person (3500 HUF), which has to be booked and paid at the tourist office.
