Burrell’s reaction to Orban’s presence at the meeting of the Organization of Turkic Countries 

Joseph Borrell, the EU foreign policy official, expressed his displeasure with the presence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the informal meeting of the Organization of Turkic States held on July 5 and 6 (July 15 and 16).

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Hungary is now a member of the European Union, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Council until the end of December 2024.

Borrell noted in a statement: The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has not received any mandate from the Council of the European Union to promote relations with the Organization of Turkish States.

He continued that this block rejects any attempt by the Organization of Turkish States to “legitimize the separatist organizations of the Turkish Cypriots”.

On July 5 (July 15), the Hungarian Prime Minister visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid opposition from European officials.

Orban, who has always been one of the opponents of EU sanctions against Russia, announced after the meeting with Putin that he has taken the first step to revive the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.  

This Hungarian official also went to Ukraine last week and met with Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of this country. After the meeting, Orban stated that he offered Zelensky a ceasefire to start negotiations with Russia.

Translator: Azam Purkand