Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo received his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán in Brussels on Monday, following the transfer of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The meeting took about half an hour. Neither of the leaders made statements afterwards.
Belgium concluded its Presidency on Sunday 30 June amid accolades from other Member States and European institutions. In the run-up to the European elections (6 to 9 June), Belgium concluded almost 70 agreements with the European Parliament.
In total, almost 90 legislative files were approved. These included important legislation such as the asylum and migration pact, the regulation of artificial intelligence, the new budget rules and the nature restoration law. Accession negotiations were also opened with Ukraine and Moldova.
'Honest broker'
Now, Hungary has also promised to fulfil its role as an impartial 'honest broker' during the Presidency and help Member States understand one another. However, under Orbán, Hungary has been pursuing a nationalist course for years with a sharp anti-European discourse.
The country is also in the crosshairs of the European institutions and other Member States for undermining the rule of law and fundamental rights, as well as regularly thwarting European support for Ukraine.
Orbán, who last week voted against the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as candidate president of the European Commission, chose the slogan 'Make Europe Great Again' for his Presidency – a nod to Donald Trump's slogan during the 2016 US presidential election campaign.
Hungary holds the presidency until 31 December, after which Poland will take over in the new year. In a post on social media, De Croo said "I wish [the Hungarian Presidency] luck and trust you will deliver in the interest of all EU citizens."
Now it’s up to Hungary and @PM_ViktorOrban
Proud of the track record of @EU2024BE which delivered on its ambition to protect our citizens, strengthen our economy and prepare for Europe’s future. I wish @HU24EU luck and trust you will deliver in the interest of all EU citizens. pic.twitter.com/DkGx7uz9aY — Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) July 1, 2024
