The Visegrad countries – Czechia, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary – approved an official statement on Monday (26 April) condemning the recently revealed Russian military covert operation in Czechia, namely a blast of ammunition depot in 2014.
However, they rejected a harsher version of the statement that was deemed unacceptable by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for a much friendlier stance towards Moscow.
The initial version of the declaration, drafted by Poland, was much tougher, calling for the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and voicing strong support for Ukraine and Belarus. It said Nord Stream 2 would “adversely affect the energy security of Europe”.
Orban blocks harsh V4 declaration on Russia, accepts softer version euractiv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from euractiv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Hungarian doctors ask Orbán not to let kids back to schools 16-04-2021
Pupils wear face masks and observe the safe distance among each other to prevent the spread of coronavirus as they attend a mass in the cathedral of Szombathely, Hungary, during the ceremonial opening of the school year of a Roman Catholic grammar school in Szombathely, Hungary, 31 August 2020. [EPA-EFE/GYORGY VARGA]
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Before you start reading today’s edition of the Capitals, feel free to have a look at the in-depth analysis Michel silent over unofficial document mulling border changes in Western Balkans by Alexandra Brzozowski and Vlagyiszlav Makszimov.
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High-level Conference Climate Science from Space: Synergies for a greener innovation economy: With the participation of the European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and the Portuguese Minister for Science, Manuel Heitor, this conference will help building bridges to link space and climate ecosystems, by showing how space-based systems can improve daily life and contribute to the European Green Deal. More here.