Europeum

e15 | European politicians boycott Hungarian presidency. Will Orbán continue to provoke?

July 24, 2024

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán took over the EU Council presidency less than a month ago, but he has already managed to provoke the EU institutions and most member states with his unauthorized "peace" mission to Russia and China. During this mission, he presented himself as a representative of the European Union, despite having no authority to do so. European politicians have responded to this situation with initial retaliatory measures. How will Viktor Orbán proceed? What strategies and tactics might the Hungarian Prime Minister use during his presidency? Oszkár Roginer-Hofmeister, a research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for e15.

ČRo Plus | Slovakia and Hungary face oil supply issues and file a complaint against Ukraine with the European Commission

July 24, 2024

Russian oil from Lukoil still isn’t flowing through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary. In June, Ukraine unilaterally decided to ban the transit of Lukoil oil through its territory, as the company was added to its sanctions list. Slovakia and Hungary have turned to the European Commission for help in resolving the issue. What can the EU do about this situation? What role does the Association Agreement with Ukraine play in resolving this dispute? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation.

STVR | Boycott of the Hungarian Presidency in Council of the EU

July 23, 2024

Most European Union states have decided to boycott the Council meeting in Budapest. This decision is a reaction to Orbán's "peace mission", during which he met with Russian President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and former US President Trump under the banner of the Hungarian presidency without any mandate from the EU. Will EU criticism slow Orbán down in his next steps? Can Hungary's presidency be revoked? Does EU foreign policy even need to be unified? The situation is commented on by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute.

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

July 16, 2024

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.

TA3 | Questions about the Hungarian Presidency

July 03, 2024

Make Europe Great Again is the motto of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Hungary has set seven priorities, including fighting illegal migration and strengthening European defense. But the next six months raise many questions about the direction the Union will take under Budapest's leadership and what it will mean for Ukraine. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, explains the situation for Slovak TV TA3.

RTVS | Expansion of the Patriots for Europe political group

July 02, 2024

Hungary takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Belgium. However, a new European platform, which was founded in Vienna on Sunday, is more widely discussed on the Hungarian political and media scene. According to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, many will be surprised at how quickly it will grow. Vít Havelka, senior research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, comments for RTVS on the formation of the European political alliance and its expansion.

RTVS | Hungary takes over the Presidency of the EU

July 01, 2024

From this day Hungary holds the Presidency of the EU. It takes over the Presidency from Belgium and will set the European agenda until the end of the year. The Hungarian Presidency says it wants to find real solutions to real problems. But some analysts fear that important issues, including support for Ukraine, could take a back seat. Martin Vokálek, executive director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for RTVS.

ČRo Plus | Hungary takes over the European Presidency. How will the country considered to be the EU's troublemaker handle it?

July 01, 2024

Hungary took over the EU presidency today, giving Budapest, perceived as a troublemaker in the European institutions, a different role for six months. At the same time, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced over the weekend the formation of a new alliance in the European Parliament with the Czech ANO movement and the Freedom Party of Austria. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the formation of the new alliance.

TN.cz | Ukraine and Moldova begin EU membership talks

June 25, 2024

In Luxembourg, formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union have begun. Is this a significant progress towards their eventual EU membership? Which of these two countries has a stronger position? And how does the screening process unfold? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discussed these topics for TN.cz.

Call for Participants: Euro-Atlantic Future of Ukraine and Eastern Europe: Views from Visegrad

June 24, 2024

Are you a Master’s student from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia keen on international relations and NATO's strategic future? Join our workshop series to engage with experts, present your views on NATO’s Open-Door policy, and network with peers from the region.