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Prime Minister Viktor Orbán participates in the fourth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) at Blenheim Castle near Oxford, England.
This high-profile event, as reported by Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief, will see the attendance of 47 European leaders. The provisional agenda for the summit includes discussions on assistance to Ukraine and common European challenges such as energy and connectivity, democracy, security and migration.
The European Political Community (EPC), established in 2022 at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, serves as an intergovernmental forum for political and strategic discussions on the future of Europe. As leaders convene for the summit, Viktor Orbán has emphasized Hungary’s distinct perspective on European foreign policy.
The essence of our concept, which differs from the official concept, is that the European Union should not copy the foreign policy of the American Democrats but should have its own European approach in the spirit of strategic autonomy – and we are constantly advocating this here,”
he stated upon his arrival at Blenheim Castle.
When asked about the progress of Hungary’s peace mission, Mr. Orbán provided an optimistic assessment. “We are doing well, we are making progress, it is not easy when there are headwinds, but so far we have taken all the steps as planned,” he said. He acknowledged the slow pace of progress but remained hopeful about future developments, adding, “progress is slow, but it is being digested. I hope to move forward with the next steps.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister also discussed his recent peace efforts regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Highlighting his individual stance, he commented on former US. President Donald Trump, describing him as “a man of peace and what we need is peace.”
This statement underscores PM Orbán’s belief in peaceful resolutions over military confrontations.
Addressing the political situation in Georgia, Viktor Orbán praised the country’s resilience and efforts to maintain sovereignty amid challenging circumstances. “Georgia is a wonderful country that is doing very well and the government is trying to maintain its independence and sovereignty under very difficult circumstances,” he said.
He also criticized European leaders for not fully grasping the complexities faced by Georgia in preserving its sovereignty, noting,
unfortunately, many European leaders do not understand how difficult it is for a country like Georgia to maintain its sovereignty in all directions.”
On the subject of Ukraine, PM Orbán expressed solidarity, saying, “I am with you.” However, he voiced his skepticism about the effectiveness of military solutions to the conflict, emphasizing the need for negotiation. “Every day we are losing thousands of innocent people, and human life is the most precious thing, so we have to stop this,” he asserted. “The solution cannot be found on the battlefield but at the negotiating table.”
The EPC summit provides a platform for European leaders to engage in strategic dialogue and address pressing issues facing the continent. As the discussions unfold, Viktor Orbán’s contributions reflect Hungary’s commitment to advocating for a distinct European approach to foreign policy and conflict resolution.
Via MTI; Featured Image: MTI / Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda / Benko Vivien Cher