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Here’s what you need to know about Thursday’s European Political Community summit in Budapest

Hungary is set to host its largest diplomatic event ever as leaders from across Europe gather in Budapest on November 7 for the European Political Community (EPC) summit, followed by an EU informal summit the next day.

Budapest is preparing for an unprecedented political event as it hosts the European Political Community summit on November 7, followed by an informal European Union summit the next day. These back-to-back gatherings will bring over 50 delegations, including 45-47 heads of state or government, as well as EU and international organization leaders, marking the largest diplomatic event in Hungarian history.

Both events will be held at the Puskás Arena, a venue well equipped to handle high-profile gatherings of this scale. Although widely known as a sports stadium, the arena has increasingly hosted conferences and diplomatic meetings, thanks to its comprehensive capacity. It will accommodate plenary sessions, section meetings, and bilateral talks, with more than 50 delegations expected in total. Preparations include extensive decor—15,000 square meters of it—constructed by a 400-person team over the past three weeks.

On the logistical side, the EPC summit requires a massive coordination effort. More than 160 vehicles will be used to transport dignitaries, with an additional 180 vehicles dedicated to escorting delegations and ensuring their security. Many of the 30-plus international delegations are arriving by private jets, with Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport managing simultaneous arrivals.

An estimated 5,500 people will support the event, including more than 3,000 security personnel tasked with securing the venue, hotels, and transport routes. On-site, over 270 servers and about 90 kitchen and warehouse staff will be working to provide food and beverages, which includes over 4,000 sandwiches for the delegations and 6,000 sandwiches for the press. A selection of nearly 700 kilograms of pastries will also be available.

Staff will then completely revamp the Puskás Arena setup for the informal EU summit on November 8. In addition to a specially designed look specifically for this gathering, the venue will feature a unique floating terrace, which will serve as a waiting area for delegation leaders and as the site of the customary group photo.

The two summits mark a momentous occasion for Hungary, underscoring the nation’s capability to host major diplomatic events while enhancing Hungary’s prominence on the European stage.

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