European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Orbán and President of the European Council Charles Michel (L-R) in Budapest at the conclusion of the informal summit of EU leaders on 8 November 2024.

The Budapest Declaration on Competitiveness — New Opportunities for the European Defence Sector

One of the most pressing issues in enhancing the competitiveness of Europe is the need to optimize defence spending. Europeans now spend much more on defence in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, with ten European NATO members set to reach the 2 per cent of GDP spending threshold by the end of 2024. However, developing and acquiring modern weapon systems of cutting-edge technology demand an exponential level of spending for development and production, which can hamstring the capabilities of nation-states if they want to fit out their armies fully with domestically produced equipment, from building tools to jet fighters.

Manon Aubry, Co-President of the Left Group in the European Parliament, GUE NGL, Member of the European Parliament La France Insoumise.

Populism without Popularity? — The Left Group in the European Parliament

‘It is a strange tale to trace how the first communist group was dominated by Italian communists who cut their teeth in the partisan resistance forces whilst the largest Italian delegation in its present-day incarnation is mostly made up of MEPs from a party which until recently could not decide whether they were right-wing populist Eurosceptics or liberal Eurofederalists.’

EU Leaders Agree on Budapest Declaration to Boost Competitiveness

At the informal European Council meeting in Hungary, the leaders of the member states adopted the Budapest Declaration, which focuses on measures to boos the EU’s competitiveness. The decision was announced by Viktor Orbán, who highlighted that there is a strong consensus on the need to ‘make Europe great again’.

Viktor Orbán Opens European Political Community Summit in Budapest

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán inaugurated the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest, highlighting the unprecedented diplomatic scale of the event in Hungary’s history. He underscored the security, migration, and economic challenges Europe faces, as well as the significance of the US presidential election for transatlantic relations.

European Political Community Summit in Budapest – Here’s What You Need to Know

This week, the largest diplomatic event in Hungary’s history, the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, takes place in Budapest. The meeting will be unusual in several respects: the leaders of the states are convening just two days after the US presidential election, which could significantly influence the focus of the issues discussed.

EASA Programme Manager Guillaume Soudain speaks at the conference in Budapest on 31 October 2024.

European Aviation Safety Agency Conference Hosted in Budapest

The European Commission’s aviation safety agency EASA’s conference was hosted in Budapest, Hungary under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The emphasis was placed on the essential impact of human factors in ensuring safe operations at the event; as well as the aviation industry’s long-term challenges, such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Budapest City Council Adopts New Measures for Affordable Housing

The Budapest General Assembly has approved a comprehensive proposal package aimed at improving housing affordability, expanding the city’s affordable rental market, and optimizing existing real estate. The initiative seeks active involvement from both the central government and the EU’s structural funding.

Patriots for Europe Attend Trump’s Madison Square Garden Mega Rally

MEPs of the newly founded right-wing populist Patriots for Europe political group in the European Parliament were invited to President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated rally at Madison Square Garden in new York City, New York. The Patriots in attendance shared a video on their X page, talking about their experience at the grandiose event.

Hungarian EU Presidency Hosts the Asia-Oceania Working Group in Budapest

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.