All posts tagged: Robert Fico

13 things we learned at the EU summit in Cyprus – POLITICO

13 things we learned at the EU summit in Cyprus – POLITICO

8. Italy doesn’t want to pay for Brussels building work Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni isn’t happy about plans to renovate the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels (that’s the building just off the Schuman roundabout that looks like a 1970s leisure center and is next to the giant glass egg building). “We cannot propose renovating the European Council’s headquarters at a cost of €800 million. This is something Italy cannot afford, and it would send the wrong message to citizens,” Meloni said while in Cyprus. 9. Mutual defense needs work Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU’s mutual defense clause, Article 42.7, needs some gaming out if it’s going to work properly in practice. “The treaty is very clear about the what,” von der Leyen said, explaining member countries are obligated to come to each other’s aid. “The treaty is not clear about what happens when and who does what.” 10. Kids say the smartest things As he spoke with students under the shade of a tree at Nicosia Franco-Cypriot school, one of …

EU approves €90B loan to Ukraine – POLITICO

EU approves €90B loan to Ukraine – POLITICO

The two countries lifted their vetoes after oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged by Russian strikes earlier this year, resumed on Thursday. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the news on her way to Cyprus, where she is meeting with European leaders to discuss the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. “While Russia doubles down on its aggression, we are doubling down on our support to the brave Ukrainian nation enabling Ukraine to defend itself,” von der Leyen wrote on X. Hungary’s outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, conditioned their support for the loan to the restoration of oil flows through the pipeline. The restart ends a months-long standoff that blocked the EU’s largest financial package for Kyiv, and which sparked fears the war-battered country would run out of money. Zelenskyy announced his country would repair the Druzhba pipeline shortly after Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar defeated Orbán in national elections held earlier this month. Source link

Defeated Viktor Orbán to skip next week’s EU leaders summit – POLITICO

Defeated Viktor Orbán to skip next week’s EU leaders summit – POLITICO

BRUSSELS ― Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will not attend the informal meeting of the European Council in Cyprus next week, an EU official told POLITICO. Orbán suffered a crushing loss in Sunday’s general election that put an end to his 16-year premiership. He was scheduled to attend the two-day gathering on April 23 -24, during which national leaders are set to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and the bloc’s next seven-year budget. The nationalist-populist leader remains Hungary’s caretaker prime minister until his rival, Péter Magyar, takes power in May. Source link

Magyar hints at ending Hungary’s block on €90B Ukraine loan – POLITICO

Magyar hints at ending Hungary’s block on €90B Ukraine loan – POLITICO

Ukraine’s coffers, depleted after years of war, would see a huge shortfall if the loan isn’t approved by May. While capitals hoped to resolve the issue at a summit last month, Orbán — alongside Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico — insisted the money could not be disbursed until the flow of oil was guaranteed. Leaders won’t have to meet again to unblock the loan. Magyar signaled the decision could be taken even before his government assumes office, which should take place within the month. Even if Hungary allows the loan to go ahead, it still won’t contribute. “I will discuss with European leaders but I personally agree that Hungary should opt out, Hungary is in a very difficult situation,” Magyar said. “We cannot take out even more loans, the Hungarian budget deficit has tripled since 2010.” Magyar, a former ally of Orbán’s, won a two-thirds parliamentary supermajority in Sunday’s vote, bringing an end to his former boss’ 16 years in office. He has pledged to crack down on corruption and accused the outgoing government of …

5 ways the EU could cope with Hungary if Orbán wins again  – POLITICO

5 ways the EU could cope with Hungary if Orbán wins again  – POLITICO

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated the increased use of enhanced cooperation among willing member states to bypass unanimity in areas such as competitiveness. Speaking at an EU leaders’ retreat in the Belgian countryside in February, she said: “Our ambition should always be to reach agreement among all 27 member states. However, where a lack of progress or ambition risks undermining Europe’s competitiveness or capacity to act, we should not shy away from using the possibilities foreseen in the treaties under enhanced cooperation.” Why it might not work: While Hungary has opted out of Ukraine-related financial arrangements, alongside Czechia and Slovakia, it continues to block these efforts. On the Ukraine loan, for example, one of the bills that needs approval before the cash can be disbursed requires the agreement of all member countries. “In cases of very urgent need, this can be a vehicle, but in the end it still comes back to a decision by all 27,” one senior diplomat said.  Two other diplomats were critical of these restricted formats, saying they should …

5 fights to watch out for at summit of EU leaders – POLITICO

5 fights to watch out for at summit of EU leaders – POLITICO

Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria, Austria and Croatia are urging the EU executive to reexamine the scheme by the end of May at the latest, arguing it harms their industries and is contributing to rising energy prices.  But not everyone agrees, with two EU officials from ETS-supporting countries saying the cap-and-trade system must remain in place. The first official argued it is not contributing to the energy crisis and is actually helping Europe’s economy, with its revenues needed for the green transition.   On the topic of energy, the Commission’s proposed gas price cap is also likely to be raised, though not all countries are likely to get on board with that either, according to a senior German government official. According to the draft conclusions, EU leaders will instruct the Commission to “present without delay a toolbox of targeted temporary measures” to bring down energy prices.  Competitiveness, anyone? EU vs. itself Despite the crises crowding the agenda, leaders will still try to push forward plans to revive Europe’s economy, building on talks at a February summit at Alden Biesen in Belgium. Most of the proposals fall under the “One Europe, One Market” push to deepen the single market — easing the movement of goods, services, capital and people across the bloc. The draft conclusions …

Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat — even if Hungary keeps blocking €90B loan – POLITICO

Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat — even if Hungary keeps blocking €90B loan – POLITICO

Ukraine has money until May Kyiv’s funding needs have eased after the International Monetary Fund approved an $8.1 billion loan late last month, disbursing $1.5 billion straight away. The country should have enough money to stay solvent until early May, four people familiar with Kyiv’s finances told POLITICO. Previous EU estimates had indicated Kyiv would go broke at the end of March, putting it at a major disadvantage against Russian forces and amid ongoing U.S.-led peace talks, and therefore increasing the urgency of the €90 billion EU lifeline. The loan seemed locked in until late January, when a Russian drone attack damaged the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil across Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. Budapest and Bratislava are exempt from EU sanctions on Russian oil. Orbán accused Ukraine of intentionally delaying repairs to the pipeline for political reasons, and reneged on the commitment he made at the December summit to wave the Ukraine loan through. The Hungarian leader also blocked the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, which requires unanimous support from all 27 …

Can Donald Trump save Viktor Orbán? – POLITICO

Can Donald Trump save Viktor Orbán? – POLITICO

The U.S.-Israel war with Iran has only added to the uncertainty. Orbán has so far discreetly endeavored to distance himself from the Middle East war, delicately noting at a recent campaign rally that the president had sought his opinion ahead of the bombing of Iran, “given we [Hungary] have relations with Iran and friendly relations with Israel.”  He said that what’s happening isn’t what he’d advised, but added that the U.S. leader and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss serious measures to “stabilize the world’s state” when Trump visits Beijing, as he is expected to do later this month. Still, it’s unclear just how much MAGA’s support has actually aided the Hungarian prime minister. There’s no evidence that Rubio’s visit shifted opinion polls, noted Chatham House’s Ash. In fact, a subsequent poll published after his visit suggested Hungary’s center-right opposition widened its lead in February. Shortly before heading to Washington for last month’s inaugural meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, Orbán reminded Hungarian radio the U.S. president “owes him” a visit. | Harun Ozalp/Anadolu via …

How every EU country responded to the strikes on Iran – POLITICO

How every EU country responded to the strikes on Iran – POLITICO

Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran risk another Iraq-style quagmire, but said Berlin won’t lecture Washington as it seeks U.S. help to end the war in Ukraine. The German leader is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Merz also stressed that despite U.S. efforts, Iran hasn’t agreed to a nuclear deal or committed to reducing its missile program. Merz’s warnings against protracted conflict were later echoed by British PM Keir Starmer during a video address. Starmer gave more detail on the extent to which the British government is willing to help the U.S. and Israel in the conflict, albeit in a defined and limited manner, than the initial E3 statement cowritten with Germany and France. Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the safety of Greeks in the region and the need for effective control of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to local media. Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary is raising its counterterrorism level and used the strikes on Iran as a chance to talk about the …

Kyiv condemns ‘blackmail’ by Hungary, Slovakia as energy standoff escalates – POLITICO

Kyiv condemns ‘blackmail’ by Hungary, Slovakia as energy standoff escalates – POLITICO

In a statement posted on X late Saturday, Ukraine’s foreign ministry blasted the actions as “irresponsible,” saying they risked exacerbating the growing energy crisis that has followed months of Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian grids and power stations, leaving thousands of Ukrainians without heat and electricity in the depths of winter. “Such actions, in the context of massive and targeted Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and Moscow’s attempts to deprive Ukrainians of electricity, heating, and gas during extreme cold weather, are provocative, irresponsible, and threaten the energy security of the entire region,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “In doing so, the governments of Hungary and Slovakia are not only playing into the hands of the aggressor, but also harming their own energy companies that supply energy on a commercial basis.” Kyiv said it is also considering activating emergency energy supply measures under Ukraine’s association agreement with the EU. The European Commission has called an emergency meeting of the Oil Coordination Group for Wednesday to address a growing dispute over the Druzhba oil pipeline. …