It comes after Hungary’s envoy to the EU, Bálint Ódor, was harshly criticized by his colleagues at a meeting earlier this month, with Slovakia the only country not taking the floor.
“If there’s a formal foreign affairs council, organized by the high representative [Borrell] the same day, the ministers won’t be able to go to Budapest,” said one of the diplomats.
Another added that by boycotting the Budapest meeting, the other foreign ministers wanted to “send a clear signal that Hungary does not speak for the EU.”
At the first meeting of Hungary’s presidency, hosted in Budapest to discuss industrial policy, only seven ministers from other countries showed up.
Boycotting what is supposed to be a stellar event for the country that holds the presidency to showcase itself on the world stage is an even bigger snub, intended to take the wind out of Orbán’s sails.
One diplomat joked that “very unfortunately” their country won’t be able to attend Orban’s event if Borrell organizes a counter-meeting.
The original article contains 452 words, the summary contains 165 words. Saved 63%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!