EPC summit in Budapest: PM Orbán talks about endangered Europe, President Zelensky gives chilling warning – PHOTOS

Europe’s peace, stability and prosperity are in danger, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the plenary session of European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on Thursday.

Europe’s peace, stability, prosperity under threat

Europe’s peace, stability and prosperity are in danger, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the plenary session of European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on Thursday. “The situation Europe is in is difficult, complex and dangerous,” Orbán said. He noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine is in its third year and there was a threat of escalation in the conflict in the Middle East.

Photo: FB/Orbán

Meanwhile, north Africa is being destabilised by conflicts, and illegal migration was an “unending challenge” for Europe, he added. Orbán said that after the Cold War, the prospect of a re-emergence of geopolitical blocs was looming over the global economy, which called into question the foundations of the European model.

‘We must examine ways to return to peace in Europe’, says Orbán

The prime minister told a key summit of European leaders in Budapest on Thursday that “we must examine ways to return to peace in Europe.” In his opening address of the European Political Community (EPC) summit, Orbán underlined that the security challenges faced by Europe would be reviewed at the plenary session.

Photo: FB/Orbán

The questions to be discussed include “how to return to peace in Europe, how can Europe take greater responsibility for its own security and peace in the future, how can the continent be more successful in enforcing its own interests and how can the continent remain a decisive player at talks and in developments that will decide its future.”

These issues have become particularly relevant with the US presidential election just having taken place, he said, adding that “the future of our transatlantic relations is an indispensable component of the European security architecture.” The answers given now could decide Europe’s future for decades, Orbán said, adding that “we believe that together we can be stronger than on our own.”

Orbán calls for better cooperation on migration with countries of origin, transit

“Better practical cooperation is needed with the countries of origin and the transit countries in order to eliminate illegal migration and human smuggling networks,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a plenary session of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on Thursday.

The challenges related to migration, economic security and connectivity will be discussed in working groups after the plenary session, the prime minister said. Migration is included in the EPC summit’s agenda as a priority topic for the second time, he added. In order to achieve the development goals, the countries of origin and transit must be better supported, Orbán said.

President Zelennsky talking. Photo: FB/Orbán

“We have to decide whether we are ready to set up centres in safe third countries to process asylum applications and arrange for returns,” he said, adding that Thursday’s debate might be a step forward towards achieving tangible results. “I sense a new momentum in Europe in this regard,” the prime minister said.

A total of 47 heads of state and government and leaders of international organisations have been invited to the summit.

Hungary ‘important, valued NATO member’

Orbán had bilateral talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Budapest, the venue of the European Political Community summit, the PM’s press chief said in a statement on Thursday. At the meeting held to review cooperation between Hungary and NATO, it was agreed that Hungary “is an important and valued member” of the alliance, the statement said. Orbán and Rutte agreed to continue pursuing “intensive joint work”, the press chief said.

Hungarian prime minister discusses with former ECB head

Orbán on Thursday had a meeting with Mario Draghi, the one-time Italian premier and former president of the European Central Bank, who has arrived in Budapest at Orbán’s invitation, the PM’s press chief said in a statement.

Zelensky talks about “peace through strength” in Budapest

Photo: FB/Orbán

Hungarian public broadcaster: Zelensky’s speech at Budapest summit was not open to the press

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