Brussels 01.10.2024 “Today’s reality is marked by multiple crises. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is in its third year and continues to rage” reads the invitation letter for the European Political Community summit in Budapest, signed by Prime minister Viktor Orban, and president of the EU Council Charles Michel.
“Increasingly deadly violence is igniting in the Middle-East threatening to further escalate. Conflicts and instability are also on the rise in Africa. Irregular migration and its instrumentalization poses an additional challenge to Europe. The global economy is once again heading towards fragmentation which is impacting our economic models. All this is putting peace, stability and prosperity at risk in our region. We are convinced that the decisions we make to address these crises will determine our future for decades to come.

“Building on the results of our previous summits we invite you to the fifth summit of the European Political Community in Budapest on 7 November 2024 to discuss the security challenges Europe is facing.

“We will begin our discussions with a morning plenary session on the security challenges, followed by four breakout sessions on the topics of migration and economic security. The session on migration will cover all aspects of migration, while the one on economic security will also discuss connectivity in terms of energy, transport, IT and also global trade. The chairs of each roundtable will report on the discussions at the second plenary session. We will conclude with interventions at the plenary on the topics of the breakout sessions.

“Ample opportunities will be provided for bilateral or multilateral meetings during the day.

“We look forward to welcoming you in Budapest”.

Earlier on Thursday, October 31, the European Council president Charles Michel warned against the impulse of boycotting upcoming European gatherings under Hungary’s EU presidency, calling it a “false good idea”.

Although Prime Minister Viktor Orban causes whirlwind within the European Union for his inclination to maintain dialogue with Russia, he will host the European Political Community (EPC) summit on November 7, in which Georgia will participate, followed by an EU leaders informal Summit on November 8.

“Boycotting the meeting in Budapest is a very bad idea,” Michel told journalists during a visit to Geneva, where he met the heads of the International Committee of the Red Cross and leading UN agencies.

“I know that some are tempted to boycott because there is irritation in a number of capitals over statements or trips by the Hungarian Prime minister; and I am trying to convince my friends who believe deeply in European unity and European integration not to be tempted by a false good idea,” he added.

The nationalist leader was blasted by almost all other EU countries for his surprise visit to Kremlin shortly after receiving chairmanship over the six-month rotating EU presidency in July.