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In a bold and unprecedented move, the European Commission announced today its decision to "boycott" the six-month Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union. This action is a direct response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's controversial visits to Moscow and Beijing.
The Hungarian government reacted with immediate annoyance. A spokesperson for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU executive would abstain from participating in any informal meetings under the Hungarian presidency and would cancel the College of Commissioners' customary trip to Budapest.
"The Commission will be represented at the senior level of civil servants only during informal Council meetings," said Eric Mamer, spokesperson for President von der Leyen, citing recent developments as the catalyst for this decision. Mamer emphasized that high-level official meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg would remain unaffected, as they are not organized by the rotating EU Council presidency.
Hungary's European Affairs Minister János Boka responded swiftly on the X platform, asserting that "the Hungarian Presidency of the EU remains committed to sincere cooperation with member states and institutions." He emphasized the collaborative nature of EU events and criticized the Commission's selective cooperation.
"The EU is an international organization made up of Member States. The Commission is an institution of the EU," Boka noted, questioning if all Commission decisions are politically motivated.
This significant stance by the Commission follows widespread EU outrage over Orban's Moscow visit, during which he claimed to represent only Hungary in what he described as "peace missions" between Moscow and Kiev—explanations that failed to convince other EU leaders. Orban's attendance at the Turkic states meeting in Azerbaijan, alongside Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, further provoked reactions from EU diplomacy head Josep Borrell.
This decision by the Commission comes just two days before a crucial European Parliament vote on von der Leyen's re-election, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama.
[Source: Kathimerini.gr]
