Bratislava to Engage with Hungary During EU Presidency

Bratislava has confirmed its intention to fully participate in Hungary's activities during its EU presidency, as stated by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. Following discussions with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok in Budapest, Pellegrini emphasized that punishing a sovereign EU member for its diplomatic engagements is unwarranted. He expressed support for dialogue, particularly in light of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's controversial visits to Ukraine, Russia, and China, which have drawn criticism from other EU institutions. Pellegrini urged Hungary to prioritize addressing unfair trade practices and the issue of double standards in food quality during its presidency. Additionally, Hungary has committed to extending its assistance in safeguarding Slovakia’s airspace until the end of 2025, a crucial support given Slovakia's recent challenges in air defense following the transfer of military assets to Ukraine by the previous government. In contrast, several EU member states, including Sweden, Finland, Poland, and the Baltic nations, have announced plans to boycott Hungary's presidency due to Orbán's diplomatic actions. A coalition of 25 EU countries recently condemned Hungary's initiatives regarding Ukraine, arguing that they are incompatible with the responsibilities of holding the EU presidency. Notably, Slovakia has distanced itself from this collective stance, with Prime Minister Robert Fico labeling calls to penalize Hungary as "crazy" and instructing the foreign ministry to oppose any punitive measures against Hungary.