In a significant shift towards greater self-reliance, European leaders at the fifth European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest have pledged to assume more responsibility for the continent's security. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasized this stance during a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama.
The summit, attended by almost 50 European nations and international organizations, focused on pressing issues such as irregular migration, regional security, and enhancing continental connectivity. Orban highlighted several threats to European peace and stability, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, increasing tensions in the Middle East, persistent illegal migration, and unprecedented global economic fragmentation since the Cold War.
\"Big, critical issues are on the table: war or peace, migration or security, fragmentation or connectivity, subordination or European sovereignty,\" Orban remarked, underscoring the necessity of collective European action to address these challenges.
With Hungary holding the EU rotating presidency, Orban pointed out areas of consensus reached during the summit, including responding to the recent U.S. election outcomes, advocating for swift peace efforts in Europe, and reinforcing Europe's accountability for its own security needs.
Albanian leader Edi Rama expressed gratitude for the open dialogues facilitated by the EPC format, praising its ability to foster candid discussions on sensitive topics. Rama also highlighted the enhanced engagement between the EU and non-EU European countries, a development that was unimaginable a few years prior.
Looking ahead, Rama voiced optimism about Albania's prospects within Europe, acknowledging significant support from Hungary's presidency in initiating direct EU accession talks. He expressed hope that Albania and other Western Balkan nations will secure EU membership within the decade.
Established in 2022, the EPC serves as a platform for political dialogue and cooperation among European nations, aiming to tackle common challenges and bolster the continent's security, stability, and prosperity. The EPC summit is held biannually, alternating between EU and non-EU host countries.
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European leaders commit to taking more responsibility for own security
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