The invitation letter to the summit stated that:[4]
"The leaders will discuss the main security challenges affecting Europe posed by ongoing conflicts, including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the current escalation in the Middle East. During the breakout sessions, they will also hold discussions on migration and economic security, as well as connectivity related issues such as energy, transport, IT and global trade."
The host for the preceding summit, the United Kingdom, had pledged to work with other EPC members to promote coherence across future EPC summits.[6] To this end, the British ambassador in Budapest, Paul Fox, met with Hungarian Europe minister, János Bóka, on 25 March 2024.[7] Following the fourth summit, a hosting quartet consisting of the United Kingdom, Hungary, Albania and Denmark was set up to further coordinate between summits.[8]
Schedule and agenda
The summit is scheduled to take place on 7 November 2024 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
On the sidelines of the summit, Armenian Minister of Foreign AffairsArarat Mirzoyan participated in a meeting organized by Péter Szijjártó, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary. Mirzoyan discussed regional issues and presented the latest developments in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the border delimitation process between the two countries and efforts towards the conclusion of a peace treaty.[16] Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held several closed-door meetings with his counterparts regarding 'economic security'. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not participate in the summit.[17]
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that he had discussed "all the important topics ranging from ongoing developments in the country to its European integration with European leaders."[18] While Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili confirmed "the Government's strong commitment to European Union integration and its readiness to cooperate with all parties involved in the process."[19]
A meeting of the Friends of Moldova Group was convened on the fringes of the summit. European leaders commended Moldovan president Maia Sandu's commitment to keeping the country on a European path and discussed ways to enhance cooperation to aid Moldova's economy and support reform efforts.[21]
During the summit, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, "The bill for this war should be sent to the Russians, not to Ukraine. So that Russia can no longer advance its false claims to everyone around – from the Baltics to the Balkans. Any country, any leader who respects international law and sits at this table should understand that predators always demand more and more."[22] While Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated, "The war launched by Russia against Ukraine is now in its third year, the Middle East is aflame and threatens to escalate, North Africa is embroiled in destabilizing conflict, illegal migration remains a persistent challenge and is nearing its previous peak, and the global economy is facing a level of fragmentation not seen since the Cold War."[23]
