The fifth meeting of the European Political Community opened today, an event that brought together over 40 heads of state and government at the Puskas Arena, the stadium of the Hungarian national team. Among the participants, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, stands out, representing Italy.
The first to speak was the host, Viktor Orban, who welcomed the European leaders at a crucial moment for the continent. The meeting includes representatives of the 27 countries of the European Union and other European states that aspire to join the EU, such as Ukraine, Moldova and the nations of the Western Balkans. The European Political Community was proposed by the French Presidency in March 2022 during the Versailles Declaration. This new format was not only born in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but has evolved into a useful platform for bilateral and multilateral meetings. In Budapest, prominent figures such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the recently elected Moldovan President Maia Sandu are present. Despite the absence of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who withdrew due to the devastating floods in Spain, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to attend.
The main topics to be addressed during the meeting concern migration and economic security, with debates planned in parallel sessions. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, stressed the importance of preparing for any future political developments: “We must write history and defend our European interests,” he said firmly.
This declaration reflects the will to affirm European unity in the face of global challenges. With events like this, the European Political Community continues to seek collective solutions to address growing geopolitical tensions and economic crises. The ability of leaders to work together and find common ground will be crucial to ensuring a stable and prosperous future for Europe as a whole.
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