Political summit in Budapest: Western leaders to gather for historic meeting

Next week, Budapest will host a major diplomatic event as 45 to 47 heads of state and government from across the Western world converge on the Hungarian capital. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that the gathering, billed as the largest diplomatic event in Hungary’s history, will bring together both EU leaders and high-ranking officials from non-EU countries, focusing on topics like European competitiveness and the U.S. presidential election outcome.

Following last week’s BRICS summit in Kazan, which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán described as the Eastern world’s gathering, Hungary will welcome dozens of Western leaders to Budapest. Orbán announced on Kossuth Radio’s Sunday News (Vasárnapi újság) programme that the Hungarian capital will host 45 to 47 heads of state and government leaders next week, making this the largest diplomatic event in Hungary’s history, HírTV reports.

Budapest Chain Bridge and Buda Castle. Photo: depositphotos.com

The prime minister highlighted the significance of this event, noting that it will not only feature key EU leaders like those from Germany, France, and the Netherlands but will also include non-EU representatives from the United Kingdom, Türkiye, the Caucasus, and the Balkans, Economx writes. “The Eastern leaders met, made their decisions, and now the Western leaders will convene here in Hungary,” Orbán remarked, referring to the European Political Community (EPC) summit.

Orbán outlined two main issues for the summit’s agenda. First, the event will closely follow the U.S. presidential election, which will occur just two days prior. Second, leaders will address Europe’s declining competitiveness, a pressing concern for the region’s future. Among the expected attendees is former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi, who recently authored a comprehensive study on EU competitiveness.

The summit will take place at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, where preparations are already underway. Zoltán Kovács, Hungary’s Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations, recently shared updates on social media, highlighting the logistical work being done to host this high-profile event.

🙌 One week to go: Our team is in the final phases of the preparatory work for the biggest diplomatic event in modern Hungarian history!

🇭🇺🤝🇪🇺 Hungary is proud to host the “twin events” of the #EPC and the informal #EUCO in Budapest next week with participants from over 40… pic.twitter.com/LLL6AWyJkV

— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) October 31, 2024

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Featured image: depositphotos.com