Orbán at the EPC: the situation Europe finds itself in is difficult and dangerous

“The situation Europe is in is difficult and dangerous. (...) We believe that we can be stronger together than we are on our own. We must examine whether we are looking for the answers in the same direction.”

– Viktor Orbán said on Thursday at the Puskás Arena, opening the European Political Community (EPC) summit. The Hungarian prime minister pointed out that 42 heads of state and government, EU leaders and representatives of the OSCE had come to Hungary for the meeting. His opening speech at the summit's plenary session was broadcast live on public television.

Orbán continued by saying that they would be reviewing the security issues facing Europe.

"How can we have peace in Europe again? How can Europe take greater responsibility for its own security and peace in the future? How can Europe better defend its interests? How can Europe remain a relevant player in the negotiations and processes determining its own destiny?"

– he listed the questions to be discussed, adding that he believes the US presidential elections will make these issues particularly important. The Hungarian prime minister said that "If we intend to put an end to illegal migration and human trafficking networks, there needs to be better practical cooperation with the countries of origin and transit".

Orbán announced that after the plenary session, the topics of migration, economic security and connectivity would be discussed in groups, and noted that this was the second time migration was a priority topic.

Orbán thanked the Austrian chancellor and the British prime minister for agreeing to chair the working groups, and said that the second working group will focus on reducing the dependencies of European countries. He explained that this was prepared by the German chancellor and the Norwegian prime minister, but would be led by the Latvian prime minister Evika Silina in the absence of German chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is facing a government crisis.

At the end of his opening speech, the Hungarian prime minister said he would hand it over to the Ukrainian president. While Orbán's speech was broadcast live on public television, it was switched back to the studio before Volodymyr Zelensky began his remarks.

The EPC summit, which brings together not only EU leaders but also heads of state and government of most European countries, is being held in Budapest on Thursday, with 42 European heads of state and government in attendance. Among those attending are Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, who originally initiated the event, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This is the group's fifth summit, and it is held in a meeting room built on the bleachers of the Puskás Arena. The four previous meetings were held at Prague Castle in Prague, at the Mimi Castle in Moldova, at the Granada Conference Centre, with a reception and photo opportunity at the Alhambra Palace in Spain, and most recently at Blenheim Palace in the UK.