The Asia-Oceania Working Group (COASI) had an informal meeting in Budapest, Hungary earlier this month, hosted by the Hungarian EU Presidency. At the event, experts discussed such pressing issues as the current political and economic trade collaboration between the European Union and the countries in the Asia-Pacific area, the Indian general election in June of this year, and more.
Researcher at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs Julianna Ármás has told Magyar Nemzet that the European Union’s expansion into the Western Balkans is a ‘top priority’ of the Hungarian EU presidency, adding that while ‘the EU has an interest in the accession of the six Western Balkan countries,’ the issue has taken a backseat since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Draghi Report suggests that the goals of defence industrial policy should be organically integrated into the discussions of the Foreign Affairs Council in its defence policy formation, allowing member states to come up with a common stance. The report also recommends the establishment of a centralized European Defence Industry Authority, which would oversee joint programming and procurement functions and centrally manage the defence acquisitions of member states.
A recent study by the Center For the Study of Democracy and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air that focuses on the Czech Republic and a multinational company, Orlen Unipetrol, since 24 February 2022 Czechia has spent over 7 billion EUR on Russian oil and gas. That is, more than five times the aid it has provided to Ukraine. In 2023 the country’ reliance on Russian oil grew to 60 per cent; this year it has decreased top pre-invasion levels, but nevertheless remains around 50 per cent.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on Wednesday, co-chaired by European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The summit aims to strengthen partnerships amidst growing geopolitical challenges. Orbán will also join the European Council meeting later this week.
The Council of the EU adopted a declaration on promoting Jewish life and combating antisemitism during Hungary’s EU Presidency while the country being one of the safest in the EU for Jewish community.
At an informal meeting of the ministers of EU Member States responsible for employment and social policy in Budapest, Hungary, Minister of State Sándor Czomba said that increasing the competitiveness of the European Union is ‘the most important challenge’ of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Minister of Finance Mihály Varga of Hungary shared with a reporter what was on the agenda of the ECOFIN meeting in Luxembourg. The recovery of Europe’s economy, aid to Ukraine financed by loans, climate finance, and the upcoming World Bank and IMF meeting were the topics discussed by Europe’s top financial leaders.
On Wednesday Viktor Orbán presented the priorities of the Hungarian EU Presidency to the plenary in Strasbourg; however, instead of addressing the pressing challenges facing Europe, MEPs—led by Ursula von der Leyen—seized the opportunity to launch a personal political attack on the Hungarian Prime Minister, demonstrating that the left-wing majority does not allow for a professional debate.
Since 2010 Hungary has seen its crime rates drop by more than half, a stark contrast to rising crime figures across much of Europe. At a press conference marking the tenth anniversary of the National Crime Prevention Council, Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, detailed the achievements of Hungarian law enforcement and the initiatives that have helped in preventing and combating crime.