EU to Boycott Foreign Ministers' Summit in Hungary over Orban's 'Peaceful' Voyages - Politico

EU foreign ministers are planning to ignore the summit of foreign ministers to be held in Hungary to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with Viktor Orban's uncoordinated foreign policy activities.

Politico writes about this with reference to its sources.

According to the publication, the EU may organise its own summit on the same dates as Hungary - 28-29 August.

The publication writes that after the Hungarian prime minister's "peaceful" trips to Ukraine, Russia and China, many EU foreign ministers were looking for a way to "avoid being a prop" at the Hungarian summit, which they believe could be another Orban propaganda show.

Three European diplomats told the newspaper that top EU diplomat Josep Borrell would convene an "official" council of foreign ministers at the same time as Orban's summit.

"If there is an official Foreign Affairs Council organised by High Representative Borrell on the same day, the ministers will not be able to go to Budapest," one of the diplomats said.

Another added that by boycotting the meeting in Budapest, the other foreign ministers want to "send a clear message that Hungary does not speak for the EU".

The plan to boycott the Hungarian summit has already been informally discussed with several EU countries, including France and Germany. On Wednesday, Borrell's team will present the plan to the 27 EU permanent representatives.

The European Union's legal service had earlier found that the Hungarian prime minister's talks with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin were in breach of EU treaties. According to media reports, the EU states are considering various options for punishing Hungary for its uncoordinated visit to Russia.

Earlier, it became known that six EU countries would not send ministers to events during the Hungarian presidency, but would limit themselves to lower-ranking officials.

As The Gaze reported, Orbán's visits to Russia and China angered the German Foreign Ministry. It said that Hungary had caused great damage by doing so.