European Union foreign ministers are set to skip a foreign affairs summit in Budapest in August by holding their own "formal" summit at the same time. It is reported Politico.
Hungary, which presides over the EU Council, plans to hold a foreign affairs summit in Budapest on August 28-29.
But after that country's prime minister, Viktor Orbán, blocked aid to Ukraine and arbitrarily met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, many foreign ministers are looking for a way to avoid what they see as another propaganda show by Orbán.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will convene ministers for a "formal" foreign affairs council at the same time as Orbán's summit, three EU diplomats said.
"If the official foreign affairs council organized by the High Representative [Borrell] takes place on the same day, the ministers will not be able to go to Budapest," said one diplomat.
Another added that by boycotting the Budapest meeting, other foreign ministers wanted to "send a clear signal that Hungary is not speaking on behalf of the EU".
According to Politico, the plan has already been informally discussed with several EU countries, including France and Germany. On Wednesday, Borrell's team will present the plan to the EU's 27 permanent representatives.
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