Hungary’s new FM pledges to end use of EU veto as “political theater”

Hungary’s new foreign minister, Anita Orban, has said the country will stop using its veto power in the European Union as a tool of political pressure and will seek to rebuild trust with its EU and NATO allies.

“Hungary will no longer wield its veto on European Union policy as an instrument of blackmail,” Orban said, adding that the government would work to restore confidence among international partners, Bloomberg reports.

“Too often Hungary has been a problem in Europe’s decision-making,” she said. “We used the veto not as a last resort but for political theater.”

Orban, who is not related to former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, pledged to do everything possible to restore the trust of partners in both the European Union and NATO.

She also stated that Hungary would support Ukraine’s integration into the EU, guided by what she described as Hungary’s national interests. At the same time, she said Budapest would continue to advocate for expanded rights for the Hungarian national minority.

By Sabina Mammadli