Hungary takes over Presidency of the European Council: Orban says Europe must be made safer and more resilient

(Patria) - Hungary today took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Belgium, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said it was time for Budapest to "make Europe great again".

Orban announced on the social network X that he participated today in a "very joyful handover ceremony" with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

"Everyone is happy that it is our turn to make Europe great again," stated Orban, alluding to the motto of the six-month Hungarian presidency "Make Europe great again".

The official account of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU on the social network X expressed gratitude to Belgium for its dedicated work during its presidency.

"We are eager to make Europe more competitive, safer, and more resilient," stated the Hungarian presidency.

One of Budapest's seven priorities during its presidency will be a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy, with the message that the EU cannot be complete without the Western Balkans joining the bloc.

In addition to enlargement, the priorities of the Hungarian presidency will be competitiveness, defense, illegal migration, regional development, agricultural policy, and demography, according to the presidency's website.

"The EU has long been committed to providing a European perspective for the Western Balkans, as the community cannot be complete without the accession of this region. The integration of the region benefits the European Union in economic, security, and geopolitical terms," the Hungarian presidency's program states.

In order to further expand and deepen cooperation, it is added, partners will be invited to consultations both within the framework of the EU-Western Balkans Summit and within the framework of the European Political Community. The other six priorities of the Hungarian presidency relate to a new European competitiveness agreement, strengthening European defense policy, preventing illegal migration, shaping the future of EU cohesion policy, farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy, and addressing demographic challenges.

The Hungarian presidency coincides with the period of the formation of new leadership in European institutions.

Hungary, after Belgium, will preside over the EU from July 1 to December 31.