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Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Presidents and Prime Ministers, Honourable Secretaries General, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I will speak in Hungarian, because you rarely have the opportunity to hear this language, which very few of us speak. Pope Francis once told me that the official language in Heaven is Hungarian. I asked him why. He said it is because it takes an eternity to learn.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since October 2022, this is the fifth meeting of the heads of state and government of the European Political Community. It is an honour for Hungary to continue the initiative of Mr. Emmanuel Macron and to host the European security summit. Today’s event is the biggest diplomatic event that our country has ever hosted: with us today are 42 heads of state and government, the heads of the European Union institutions, the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and NATO, and a representative from the OSCE. I thank you all for coming to Budapest.
Distinguished Guests,
The situation that Europe finds itself in is difficult, complex and dangerous: the war that Russia launched against Ukraine is now in its third year; in the wake of an act of terrorism, the Middle East – now in flames – faces the threat of escalation; conflicts in North Africa are destabilising the region; illegal migration – which is once again reaching its peak – is a relentless challenge for Europe; and after the Cold War, the global economy is again facing the daunting prospect of fragmentation, and the formation of blocs. This calls into question the very foundations of the European model, meaning that Europe’s peace, stability and prosperity are in danger. We are meeting today because we believe that these threats and challenges affect us all. The answers that we give now could determine Europe’s future for decades. We believe that we can be stronger together than we are separately. Today we must look at whether we share a common view of the challenges ahead. We must examine whether we are looking for answers in similar directions. And we need to see if we can identify areas in which we are willing and able to act together. In today’s plenary session of the meeting, we will look at Europe’s security challenges. How can peace be restored in Europe? How can Europe take greater responsibility for its own security and peace in the future? How can Europe better defend its interests? How can Europe remain a meaningful player in the negotiations and processes that determine its destiny? And the recent US presidential election gives these questions a particular relevance. The future of our transatlantic relations is an inescapable element of the European security architecture.
Distinguished Guests,
Following the plenary session, in working groups we will discuss the challenges of migration, economic security and connectivity. For the second time at the European Political Community Summit migration will be a priority topic. In order to tackle illegal migration and human trafficking networks we need better practical cooperation with countries of origin and transit. In terms of our development goals, we need to better support countries of origin and transit. We need to decide whether we are ready to set up centres for processing asylum claims and implementing returns in safe third countries. In this area I sense a new momentum in Europe. With today’s discussions we can perhaps take a step towards tangible results. I thank the Chancellor of Austria and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for agreeing to chair this working group.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Europe’s prosperity is due to an open and integrated global economy, to connectivity; but the COVID pandemic and geopolitical tensions have shown that an open economy also brings risks and can leave us vulnerable. Today we will discuss how we can preserve the benefits of connectivity for Europe while strengthening our strategic autonomy, reducing our dependencies and protecting our national security interests. This will be the subject of the second working group, prepared by the Chancellor of Germany and the Prime Minister of Norway. In the absence of the German chancellor, I have asked the Latvian prime minister to chair the working group together with the Prime Minister of Norway.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our political community is a forum for exchanging views on major strategic issues, with leaders around the table who are united by geographical proximity, common interests and a shared responsibility for Europe. It is with this shared responsibility in mind that I wish you all a useful meeting today.
And now, to continue the plenary session, according to our custom I invite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to make his speech. Mr President, you have the floor.
