Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orbán intensify controversial migration policies in Europe

On December 4, 2024, Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Rome to discuss various pressing issues. The key areas of focus included the ongoing situation in the Middle East, strategies for achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine, and commitments towards the reconstruction of Ukraine, particularly in preparation for a forthcoming recovery conference set to take place in Rome in July 2025. This meeting marked a significant collaboration between the two leaders, both noted for their far-right political stances, as they emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions to complex regional challenges. In their discussions, Meloni congratulated Orbán on his six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council. They also talked about key developments in European integration matters, such as the progression of accession talks with Albania and advancements regarding Bulgaria and Romania's inclusion in the Schengen area. The leaders recognized the necessity of enhancing cooperation between EU states to manage issues related to irregular migration, which remains a contentious and critical concern in Europe today. Meloni and Orbán outlined several proposals aimed at addressing the root causes of irregular migration, including initiatives to strengthen partnerships with countries of origin and transit. They expressed a mutual commitment to combat human trafficking and smuggling networks that exacerbate these challenges. Additionally, the leaders advocated for an updated legal framework within the EU that would facilitate quicker and more effective returns of migrants to their countries, with a special emphasis on identifying and reinforcing the safety of countries of origin for repatriation processes. A significant part of their migration strategy involved building upon existing agreements, particularly the Italy-Albania agreement, which aims to expedite the processing of asylum requests by establishing new reception centers in Albania under Italian jurisdiction. However, Meloni acknowledged that the execution of this deal has faced legal hurdles, as Italian authorities have controversially blocked the transfer of migrants to these centers, citing safety concerns regarding the applicants' home nations. This dynamic indicates the challenges that Italian and Hungarian leaders face while seeking to implement comprehensive migration policies, alongside their shared goals for regional stability and security.