The war in Ukraine was the main topic discussed by Hungarian President Katalin Novák at the talks she held with Sergio Mattarella, her Italian counterpart, in Rome on Tuesday.
“We agreed that with starting the war, Vladimir Putin has crossed the Rubicon. Our common goal is to stop the war as soon as possible and have peace,” she said on Facebook. “The 150,000 Hungarians living in Transcarpathia provide 150,000 reasons for restoring peace as soon as possible,” said Novák. As regards Ukraine’s minority law, the Italian president said that Ukraine would need to settle the issue of minorities if it thrives to become a member of the European Union.
The two presidents also discussed energy issues. Italy is in a more favourable situation in that regard, said Novák, adding that Hungary would also make every possible effort towards fully reducing its energy dependence on Russia. Concerning the Western Balkans, they highlighted the importance of the region’s EU integration by speeding up the accession process.
Novák and Mattarella discussed measures to support young families and welcomed the strengthening of bilateral economic relations. The Italian president stated his support to persecuted Christians and pledged to launch a programme modelled on the Hungary Helps aid scheme. Novák paid a visit to Rome at Mattarella’s invitation. She is scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday
Here are some photos:
Novák meets Meloni in Rome
President Katalin Novák met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Wednesday, to discuss illegal migration, the disbursement of European Union funding and issues concerning the Western Balkans, the president’s office said. Novák and Meloni agreed that illegal migration should be curbed. Meloni said she wanted to initiate a debate on the issue at the upcoming EU summit in Stockholm. While secondary migration is an important issue, migrants seeking to enter EU territory should be stopped at the borders, she said. The EU needs measures to stop the physical entry of illegal migrants into the EU, she said.
Novák and Meloni discussed EU enlargement on the Western Balkans and they were in agreement that the enlargement served the bloc’s interests as well as the six candidate countries. Regarding EU funding, Meloni said she was proposing a “more flexible disbursement practice more in line with modern challenges.” Novák said member states should receive the funding they are entitled to.
Read alsoPresident Novák meets Azeri counterpart Ilham Alijev in Budapest
Source: MTI
1 Comment
Does our President really think that putting the Hungarian despora under Putin’s rule is a good thing? I realize she may not remember 1956, but it is how the Russians will rule Ukraine, including the Hungarians that have made a life there for generations. While they may have Hungarian blood, Ukraine is their home. Ukraine is where they are raising their families. You support families, do you not? Then support them by demanding that Russia stop bombing their families and their homes.