Orbán: Italy important ally of Hungary

Italy is one of Hungary’s most important allies, a key partner in bilateral cooperation as well as in the European Union and NATO, Bertalan Havasi cited Orbán as saying.

Orbán and Fontana agreed that Hungary and Italy were linked by their geographical proximity, history and shared views on ideological and social issues, the statement said.

Economic ties are also strengthening, and Italy was Hungary’s fifth largest trading partner in 2022, it added.

“We’re observing with concern the pressure illegal migration is putting Italy under,” Orbán said, adding that Hungary also witnessed the situation worsening on the Western Balkans route.

Both countries are committed to stopping illegal migration, reinforcing the EU’s external borders and to developing more effective repatriation strategies, Orbán and Fontana agreed, according to the statement.

Novak meets Fontana

President Katalin Novak on Thursday discussed European Union enlargement and the fight against terrorism with Lorenzo Fontana. Novak said on Facebook that a strong alliance between similar-minded states like Hungary and Italy was important. “We will continue to fight for family values as we have done so for years,” she said.