PM Orbán opened the European Political Community Summit in Budapest today, emphasizing the urgent need for unity as Europe confronts rising security, economic, and social challenges. At Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, he addressed an extraordinary gathering of 42 heads of state and senior leaders from the EU, NATO, and the Council of Europe, marking Hungary’s largest-ever diplomatic event. Hosting this summit, originally conceived by French President Emmanuel Macron, was both an honor and a responsibility for Hungary, PM Orbán remarked.
Starting his speech in Hungarian, PM Orbán captured the audience’s attention with a lighthearted story about a conversation he once had with Pope Francis. “The Pope told me that Hungarian is the official language in heaven,” he recounted. When PM Orbán asked why, the Pope replied with a smile, “Because it takes an eternity to learn.”
Shifting to Europe’s pressing issues, PM Orbán outlined a challenging landscape. “We meet today because we believe that these dangers and challenges affect all of us,” he declared, stressing the importance of a unified and decisive approach to address the threats that could shape Europe’s future for decades to come. Chief among these is Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which, now in its third year, continues to unsettle the region and raises the risk of further escalation. This conflict, along with recent violence in the Middle East, underscores the need for Europe to strengthen its own security posture. “How can Europe assume greater responsibility for its own peace and security?” PM Orbán asked, challenging leaders to consider Europe’s role on the global stage.
Illegal migration, which PM Orbán has consistently highlighted, was another focus of his speech. He warned that migration has once again reached critical levels, fueled by growing instability in North Africa and the Middle East. PM Orbán urged for a practical and collective solution, emphasizing the need to cooperate more closely with origin and transit countries to shut down illegal migration routes and dismantle human trafficking networks. “We must support these countries’ developmental goals so they can foster stability,” he said. PM Orbán expressed hope for new momentum on this front, acknowledging the leadership shown by Austria’s Chancellor and the UK’s Prime Minister in the summit’s working group on migration.
PM Orbán also addressed the importance of economic resilience and autonomy amid the current global uncertainty. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions, he noted that while an open economy has long served Europe well, it also brings significant vulnerabilities. PM Orbán called for a balanced approach that would allow Europe to retain the benefits of global connectivity while reinforcing its strategic autonomy. “The key is reducing our dependencies while protecting our national security interests,” he explained, introducing a working group on economic security chaired by the leaders of Latvia and Norway.
Referencing the recent U.S. presidential election, PM Orbán emphasized its potential impact on Europe’s security landscape, recognizing that the transatlantic relationship is integral to Europe’s approach to defense. “The future of our ties with the United States is an unavoidable aspect of Europe’s security architecture,” he stated, noting that Europe must navigate this evolving relationship as it considers its own autonomous role in global affairs.
As the plenary session transitioned into working group discussions, PM Orbán expressed gratitude to the assembled leaders for coming to Budapest, calling it a testament to their “shared responsibility for Europe.” He concluded by inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address the summit, underscoring the urgency and gravity of Europe’s security concerns.
In closing, PM Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to building a united and resilient Europe. “Our challenges are interconnected, and our answers must be as well,” he said, encouraging the leaders in Budapest to approach these issues not only with ambition but with a true sense of shared purpose.