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ČRo | The European Commission boycotts the Hungarian presidency due to Orban's unexpected visit to Russia

The European Commission has announced that, in light of developments since the beginning of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, it plans to boycott informal ministerial meetings and send only senior officials instead of commissioners. Viktor Orbán has come under criticism for his recent trip to Russia, which he described as a peace mission aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and which he did not consult with the leaders of other EU states. This move comments Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for Czech Radio.

In the Media

16. July 2024

The problem with this uncoordinated mission lies partly in the signal it sent when Viktor Orbán shook hands with Vladimir Putin, who subsequently bombed a children's hospital in Kyiv. However, what I believe the legal services of the European Commission will primarily point out is the process itself. Generally speaking, no one denies Viktor Orbán the right to meet with prime ministers or his counterparts from other countries, nor to undertake peace initiatives. But this cannot be done behind the backs of other member states without the presidency being transparent and securing support in advance.

You can listen to the full commentary here from 12:16.