VSquare: several member states may boycott key event of Hungarian EU Presidency in Budapest

Several EU countries are considering boycotting the November summit of the European Political Community (EPC) and the European Council in Budapest, VSquare reports, citing diplomatic sources. This double meeting would be the most high-profile event to be held during the Hungarian presidency, which began in July.

On 7 November, heads of state and government are supposed to be coming to Budapest from EPC member states, i.e. from almost all European countries, not just members of the EU. These meetings are held alternately inside and outside the EU, in the former case hosted by the country holding the rotating presidency. The last meeting was held in the United Kingdom. Traditionally, only EU members stay on for the informal summit held on the second day so the representatives can confer at the highest political level. Such sessions, unlike the formal ones, are also usually hosted by the country holding the presidency.

As VSquare recalls, several member states previously boycotted the informal ministerial-level meetings in Budapest over the Hungarian government's blurring the lines between the EU presidency and Viktor Orbán's July "peace mission" (In essence, this was the reason why Thursday's informal meeting of the foreign- and defence ministers was moved from Budapest to Brussels). Citing several diplomats, VSquare reports that they are keeping an eye on the Hungarian prime minister's next move in several EU capitals before deciding whether to attend the November summit or not. The Nordic and Baltic countries are reportedly the most likely to stay away.

Earlier, VSquare's newsletter quoted Hungarian sources as saying that the government would ask Donald Trump to make an appearance, at least by video, since the summit will be held in the wake of the US presidential election on 5 November. One EU diplomat opined that a potential Orbán visit to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – as a continuation of his "peace mission" – would for sure anger some decision makers and would encourage them to opt out of travelling to the Hungarian capital.

The newsletter reports that even among the Hungarian presidency team, many were taken by surprise by the trips, as they had been preparing for a quiet six-month period. One source said "many worry about what's coming next".