Katalin Novák Has Friendly Meeting with Giorgia Meloni in Rome

Illegal immigration, the promotion of traditional family values, the distribution of EU funds, and the Western Balkans were the topics of the meeting between Hungarian President Katalin Novák and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Wednesday.

Both politicians agreed that illegal migration must be stopped, according to a statement by Novák’s office to Hungarian news agency MTI. Meloni plans to initiate a thorough debate on the issue at the EU summit in Stockholm, as she believes that while secondary migration is an important issue, migration to the European Union must be stopped at the external border. The Hungarian president outlined the Hungarian position, which has remained unchanged for years: illegal immigration is a threat to Europe and must be stopped.

Roma ed amicizia eterne.
pic.twitter.com/L9dWyLToOQ

— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovakMP) February 1, 2023

Strengthening traditional family values also helps young people start families and raise children more easily. A strong family policy is an overriding interest and intention in both Italy and Hungary.

The third issue was the EU enlargement, and integration of the Western Balkans. Meloni and Novák agreed on the need to enlarge as soon as possible, not only in the interest of the six candidate countries but also of the EU.

The fourth issue was EU funding. The Italian prime minister is calling for a more flexible use of the funds to meet the challenges of our time. Novák also agreed that the resources that are due to the member states should be given to them and that the rules for their use should be such that they serve both the interests of the nation concerned and the European Union.

During her official visit to Rome, Novák met her Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, Ignazio La Russa, President of the Italian Senate, and Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies.

Featured photo via Twitter/Katalin Novák