International

Charles Michel Warns Orbán: Hungary Lacks Mandate for Peace Missions

In a letter addressed to Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, warned him about the self-declared "peace missions" in Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, and Washington.

In a communication seen by POLITICO, Michel stated, "The rotating presidency of the Council, held by Hungary starting July 1, has no authority to represent the Union on the international stage and has not received a mandate from the European Council to act on behalf of the Union."

Michel added, "I emphasised this even before your visit to Moscow, and this was reiterated by High Representative Josep Borrell in his statement on July 5."

Michel responded to a note from Orbán, which contained conclusions and suggestions based on his “peace missions,” including a visit to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Dated July 12, the note warned that with a “high probability” of a Trump victory, “the EU’s share of the financial burden of supporting Ukraine will increase significantly, to the EU's disadvantage.”

Citing his discussions with Trump, Orbán argued in his note that he could “state with certainty that immediately after his electoral victory, Trump will not wait until the inauguration but will be ready to act as a mediator for peace immediately. He has detailed and well-founded plans for this.”

However, it is noted that no details about these plans were provided.

In turn, Michel replied that the EU has a “firm commitment to support Ukraine and its people as long as necessary and as intensely as necessary” and rejected Orbán’s claim that the EU has a “pro-war policy.”

“Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the victim, exercising its legitimate right to self-defence,” Michel wrote.

Michel’s letter comes amid a counteroffensive against how Hungary is managing the Council's presidency.

On Tuesday, several countries refused to send high-ranking ministers to a meeting organised by Hungary for energy officials in Budapest, with at least four stating they did so in protest.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Viorica Rusica

Viorica Rusica

Author

Read more

Presidential elections in Romania. Over 18 million Romanians are expected to vote on Sunday
International

Presidential elections in Romania. Over 18 million Romanians are expected to vote on Sunday

Over 18 million Romanians in the country are expected, on Sunday, November 24, 2024, to vote in the first round of the presidential elections, with 14 candidates on the ballot paper. The almost 19,000 polling stations on the territory of Romania opened at 7:00 and close at 21:00, with the possibility of extension until 23:59 for those in the headquarters or in line outside the polling station. Abroad, there are almost one million Romanians with the right to vote in this election, reports news.ro.

VOX// Moldovans with dual citizenship, at the polls: "We must make the right choice for a prosperous Romania"
Elections

VOX// Moldovans with dual citizenship, at the polls: "We must make the right choice for a prosperous Romania"

Moldovan citizens with Romanian citizenship cast their right to vote. On the second day after the opening of the 59 polling stations, Moldovans participate in large numbers, because every vote counts, they say. Moreover, Romanians from the Republic of Moldova want a developed Romania, which will be represented internationally by a person with integrity and with increased interest in the Republic of Moldova.

Presidential elections in Romania// Over 40 thousand Moldovans with Romanian citizenship voted in the Republic of Moldova
Elections

Presidential elections in Romania// Over 40 thousand Moldovans with Romanian citizenship voted in the Republic of Moldova

Over 40 thousand citizens exercised their right to vote at the 59 polling stations opened on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. Of these, about 18 thousand voted in Chisinau.