Hungary’s Foreign Ministry has concluded what Foreign Minister Anita Orbán described as a busy and productive week of diplomacy, with meetings stretching from Luxembourg to Vienna and Brussels and covering issues ranging from European Union enlargement to regional cooperation and migration.
In a summary published on social media, Orbán highlighted a series of high-level meetings and negotiations that took place during the week as Hungary seeks to strengthen its role within European and regional diplomacy.
Enlargement in focus in Luxembourg
The week began in Luxembourg, where the Foreign Affairs Council placed EU enlargement at the centre of discussions.
Intergovernmental conferences were held on the accession paths of Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro. According to Orbán, Hungary continues to support the European integration of the Western Balkans and considers Montenegro’s progress an example for the region.
On the sidelines of the meeting, she also held discussions with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and participated in talks on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Middle East, international health challenges and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Orbán also met her counterparts from the Visegrád Group (V4), where discussions focused on Hungary’s upcoming V4 presidency and preparations for a summit scheduled to take place in Hungary on 23 June.
Vienna visit focuses on Austria ties and regional cooperation
The foreign minister then travelled to Vienna, where she met Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
The talks centred on preparations for the Central Five (C5) foreign ministers’ meeting, which Hungary will host later this year, as well as plans for a future joint Hungarian-Austrian government meeting.
According to Orbán, particular attention was given to practical cross-border issues affecting tens of thousands of commuters who travel between Hungary and Austria for work and daily activities.
During her stay in Vienna, she also participated in the annual conference of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), joining discussions on Europe’s strategic autonomy, competitiveness and global role alongside senior European diplomats.
Summarising the visit, Orbán noted that a single day in Vienna included three foreign minister-level meetings, a major international conference, two media interviews and numerous professional and community engagements.
Joining Prime Minister Péter Magyar in Brussels
From Vienna, Orbán travelled directly to Brussels to join Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s delegation during his first participation in a European Council summit.
The delegation held talks with Roberta Metsola, as well as bilateral meetings with Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Robert Fico.
The European Council summit focused on some of the EU’s most pressing strategic issues, including migration, competitiveness and Ukraine.
Hungary claims success on Ukraine wording
According to Orbán, one of the most significant outcomes of the summit concerned the wording of the Council’s conclusions on Ukraine.
She said that after several hours of negotiations, member states agreed on language that does not include references to accelerating Ukraine’s EU accession process, reflecting proposals put forward by Hungary.
The minister also noted that, for the first time in approximately eighteen months, all member states were able to support a common final declaration.
‘Back at the table’
Reflecting on the week’s diplomatic activity, Orbán said Hungary is once again actively engaged in European diplomacy, building dialogue, strengthening partnerships and pursuing what she described as concrete results.
“We are present again on the foreign policy stage, taking initiatives, building dialogue and delivering tangible results,” she wrote, adding that Hungary’s goal remains to represent national interests in a predictable and results-oriented manner both in Europe and in Central Europe.
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