EPC meeting in Budapest
European leaders discussed in Budapest the current security challenges facing Europe, as well as migration and economic security.
Daniela Budu, 08.11.2024, 14:00
European leaders met in Budapest to discuss security challenges facing Europe, with an emphasis on the situation in Ukraine, as well as the issues of migration and economic security. At the fifth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), they evoked the significant impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the entire continent and also at the global level. The officials emphasized the need for coordinated action at the European level to continue supporting Ukraine, which is fighting for the defense of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At the talks held in a restricted format within the working group on migration, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, present at the meeting in Budapest, drew attention to the fact that migration remains an important challenge at the European level, which requires a common and comprehensive response. According to a press release from the Presidential Administration, he emphasized that developments regarding migration continue to be alarming against the background of the conflict in the Middle East and the continuation of the war in Ukraine. Thus, Klaus Iohannis spoke about the importance of an effective implementation at the EU level of the Pact on migration, a tool that can also prove useful in the relationship with partners outside the EU.
At the same time, Klaus Iohannis mentioned that Romania is already implementing some of the provisions of the Pact, through the Pilot Project carried out on the border with Serbia, which proved to be an example of good practices in terms of returns, asylum procedures and the prevention of illegal migration. Also, the head of state referred to the importance of regional operational cooperation, which, he says, proves to be an effective tool for effective management of the phenomenon. In this context, Klaus Iohannis pointed out that Romania remains committed both to implementing effective measures in terms of migration management and to ensuring the security of the EU’s external borders and to fully assuming its role as a member state applying the Schengen acquis. In this sense, he reiterated that for Romania, the completion of the process of joining the free travel area reflects the firm commitment to the European project.
On the other hand, at the meeting devoted to supporting the Republic of Moldova, which took place on the sidelines of the EPC meeting, Klaus Iohannis appreciated, together with the other European leaders, the reform efforts of the last period in Chișinău, materialized in constant progress, despite the challenges generated by threats from Russia. He also emphasized the need to maintain the speedy pace of reforms, the high degree of institutional vigilance, as well as the application of the lessons learned during the current elections and in the perspective of the parliamentary elections in 2025. The other European leaders also declared their firm support for the Republic of Moldova, after the presidential election and the referendum that confirmed its European course. Moreover, at the end of the meeting, the participants pledged to continue their support for Chișinău to achieve its goals of peace and democracy. (LS)
