EU-Countries examine boycott of EU minister meetings under Hungarian presidency
After the controversy over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's trips to Moscow and Beijing, other EU countries are considering a boycott of ministerial meetings under Hungarian presidency. Bundeslandwirtschaftsminister Cem Özdemir (Greens) said on Monday at an agricultural council in Brussels that he would "look very closely" at whether he would attend an informal agricultural minister meeting at the beginning of September in Hungary. He referred to the withdrawals of other countries.
Özdemir made his attendance contingent on "how the future Hungarian EU presidency runs". In his words, Orban's "odd travel destinations" have "raised doubts" among partners.
Orban had already infuriated EU partners at the beginning of the Hungarian EU presidency from July 1 with a self-appointed "peace mission" in the Ukraine conflict. Orban visited Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese State Council Chairman Xi Jinping, and US presidential candidate Donald Trump in the past week.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) spoke of "irritations" among other EU countries. The Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo stated that trust in Hungary was "in the cellar", while others spoke of a "misuse" of the EU presidency.
A diplomat also confirmed a "Politico" report that EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell could set up a regular foreign minister meeting in Brussels at the end of August - simultaneously with an informal meeting in Budapest. This would take the decision on participation away from the ministers, as they "would have to come to Brussels", the diplomat said. A decision has not yet been made. Above all, the Baltic states and Poland are calling for a boycott of the councils in Hungary.
Özdemir's stance on attending EU-Ministerial Councils under Hungary's presidency hinges on the "future behavior" of the Hungarian EU presidency, as he expresses concerns about Orban's "unconventional travel destinations" which have fueled "doubts" among EU partners.
The EU-Ministerial Councils under Hungary's presidency are facing a potential boycott, with EU-Countries following the lead of those who have already withdrawn due to Orban's "controversial trips" to Moscow and Beijing.
The EU-Ministerial Councils in Hungary might be shadowed by a boycott, as influential voices such as Germany's Cem Özdemir and Poland, among others, advocate for it in light of the ongoing "scandal" surrounding Orban's international engagements.
