Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday to discuss the most important European and international issues and the excellent bilateral relations between Rome and Budapest.
Commenting on the Budapest Demographic Summit, they reiterated the importance of pro-family policies, also in light of the demographic challenges facing Europe, he said. The two prime ministers condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine and called for peace. They noted the support granted to Kyiv and stressed the importance of maintaining European unity in support of Ukraine. Commenting on migration, they reiterated that fast and resolute action was needed. Migration is a common challenge for the European Union and requires a collective response, the prime ministers said. In order to prevent people from leaving their homes, it is necessary to focus on the external dimension, such as political and economic support to origin countries and the fight against human smuggling networks, they said. The prime ministers expressed their commitment to maintaining close cooperation between their respective governments, with special regard to the Hungarian presidency of the EU in the second half of 2024, the statement said.
In a separate meeting in Budapest on Thursday, the prime minister discussed with Rumen Radev, the president of Bulgaria, the political situation in Europe and energy issues. At the talks, PM Orbán underlined Bulgaria’s increased role in contributing to Hungary’s energy security as a transit country. He praised Bulgaria for being an excellent partner in that area, he said. PM Orbán and Radev discussed the EU integration prospects of the Western Balkan countries and the importance of a ceasefire and peace talks concerning the war in Ukraine. During Radev’s visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed on strengthening the cooperation between Bulgargaz and MVM CEEEnergy’s subsidiaries in gas supplies and trade in central and eastern Europe.
Photo credit: MTI