The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, states that the visit to Moscow by the Prime Minister of Hungary, who presides over the European Council, Viktor Obran, takes place exclusively within the framework of bilateral relations and cannot represent the position of the European Union.
“Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow takes place exclusively within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia… Prime Minister Orbán did not receive any mandate from the Council of the EU to visit Moscow,” reads the statement, the text of which was distributed in prison in Brussels.
Borrell reminded that the EU’s position on Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine is reflected in many conclusions of the European Council. “This position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. Therefore, the prime minister of Hungary does not represent the EU in any form,” the high representative emphasized.
At the same time, he stated that Hungary is currently a member state of the EU and performs the duties of the chairman of the council on a rotating basis until December 31, 2024. “This does not entail any external representation of the Union, for which the President of the European Council is responsible at the level of heads of state or government, as well as the high representative of the Union for foreign policy and security policy at the ministerial level,” Borrell reminded of the powers of officials in within the framework of the EU.
The High Representative also recalled that President Putin had been indicted by the International Criminal Court and an arrest warrant had been issued for his role in the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
