Several European leaders have expressed optimism about Hungary’s new direction under Prime Minister Péter Magyar as he attended his first European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday.
The meeting marked a historic moment, as Hungary was represented in the European Council by a prime minister other than Viktor Orbán for the first time in 16 years. Arriving at the summit, a number of heads of government signalled that they expect a more pro-European and cooperative approach from Budapest under its new leadership.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden said his first interactions with Magyar had left a positive impression.
“From my first interactions with him, I can clearly see that he is much more pro-European, and this will help us leave certain problems behind us,” Frieden said, referring to the potential changes brought about by Hungary’s recent political transition.
Austrian chancellor praises Hungary’s new direction
Among the strongest endorsements came from Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who highlighted Ukraine as one of the key issues on the summit agenda.
Stocker welcomed the fact that Hungary had lifted its objections to opening the first chapter cluster of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.
“Hungary has chosen a pro-European path. A conservative but pro-European path,” Stocker said.
The Austrian leader also recalled his previous meeting with Péter Magyar in Vienna and said he was “very optimistic” that the Hungarian election result would have a positive impact within the European Union.
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Regional cooperation back on the agenda
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also commented on the upcoming Visegrad Group summit scheduled to take place in Gödöllő next week.
According to Tusk, the meeting will be particularly significant because it will be the first gathering of V4 prime ministers in two years. The alliance between Hungary, Poland, Czechia and Slovakia has struggled in recent years as differences over Russia’s war against Ukraine weakened regional unity.
The leaders of the four countries are expected to meet in Hungary on 23 June in what could become an important step towards rebuilding cooperation within the bloc.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also expressed hope for a more constructive Hungarian approach on European issues and the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations between Budapest and Zagreb.
“We are ready for that,” Plenković said, without referring directly to past disputes between the two governments.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson likewise said there was now a reasonable chance for significantly more constructive discussions at EU level following the change in Hungary’s leadership.
Hungary and Austria preparing new regional initiatives
Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán announced that preparations have begun for a meeting of the Central Five (C5) countries to be hosted by Hungary this autumn.
Following talks in Vienna with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Orbán said the gathering would focus on practical issues affecting the daily lives of people across Central Europe.
The ministers also discussed preparations for a joint Hungarian-Austrian government meeting planned for later this year. According to Orbán, particular attention will be paid to improving conditions for cross-border commuters, an issue affecting tens of thousands of people who travel between the two countries for work.
The C5 format brings together the foreign ministers of Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. The group was established in 2020 at Austria’s initiative to strengthen regional cooperation on shared challenges.
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