SOURCES High-Stakes Infrastructure Project Debated by Prime Ministers Orban and Ciolacu: A High-Speed Train to Connect Budapest and Bucharest / Meeting’s Significance: Hungary to Assume EU Presidency in the Second Half of Next Year, a Key Position if Romania Misses Schengen Entry Again This Year

The major infrastructure project discussed on Wednesday during the private meeting between Prime Ministers Viktor Orban and Marcel Ciolacu involves the construction of a high-speed train line, according to government sources cited by G4Media.ro. The official statement issued after the meeting only mentions that „the two prime ministers discussed the initiation of a joint infrastructure project with significant economic impact for both countries.”

One of the significant reasons for Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s invitation to his Hungarian counterpart to Bucharest is related to Romania’s interest in joining the Schengen Area. Government sources explained to G4Media.ro that „if Romania fails to enter the Schengen Area in 2023, the only chance to put the subject back on the agenda in 2024 is in the second half of the year when Hungary will hold the EU Presidency.”

According to the same sources, Prime Minister Orban did not condition Romania’s entry into the Schengen Area in any way, as Hungary is interested in the elimination of border controls.

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„The Prime Minister Ciolacu welcomed the Hungarian government’s support for Romania’s efforts to join the Schengen Area and expressed hope that Hungary will continue to be an ally of our country in this regard,” states the official government press release.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban made an unusual stop in Bucharest, on his way from Brussels to the summer university in Balvanyos (Tusnad), which began today. He met privately with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, following an invitation from the Romanian Prime Minister, according to Hungarian media reports.

The publication Maszol reported that the Romanian Prime Minister invited his Hungarian counterpart on Friday, and it took only three days to organize the meeting. The last time the Romanian and Hungarian Prime Ministers met was in 2010 when Emil Boc had discussions with Viktor Orban.

During the lunch organized for the two prime ministers, Hunor Kelemen, the President of UDMR (Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania), and Sorin Grindeanu, the Minister of Transport, were also present.

Hunor Kelemen told Maszol that he considered the invitation and its acceptance to be a perfectly normal gesture. The two heads of government and the President of UDMR had lunch at the Prime Minister’s residence, where they discussed common interests, economic investments, as well as Schengen accession and the implementation of major joint projects.

„There is a need for common projects that, despite daily minor frictions, help the citizens of both countries expand both economic and personal relationships,” said Hunor Kelemen. He stated that the discussion had a „very pleasant” atmosphere and added that „such an occasion is a good opportunity to strengthen intergovernmental relations in the future.”

The meeting also addressed the issue of minorities in Romania. Hunor Kelemen stated that Marcel Ciolacu said that „UDMR is a good partner, and he regrets that we cannot continue to govern together, seeing that UDMR represents a strong Hungarian community in Transylvania.”

„What needed to be said was said,” said Hunor Kelemen. He emphasized that considering the last meeting between the Romanian and Hungarian Prime Ministers was in 2010, between Emil Boc and Viktor Orban, „it is very important that Viktor Orban accepted Marcel Ciolacu’s invitation now, and it is equally important that this invitation was received.”

Before the lunch at the Prime Minister’s Palace, upon arriving in Bucharest, Orban had a private meeting with Hunor Kelemen, with whom he reviewed their „usual business.”

Orban will continue his journey from Bucharest to Tusnad, where the 32nd edition of the Free University and Bálványos Students’ Summer Camp will take place.

On Saturday, Orban is expected to give a speech, and peace is anticipated to be a key topic. As we reported, anti-Hungarian provocateurs have targeted the Free University in Tusnádfürdő. Mihai Tîrnoveanu, the leader of „Calea Poporului” (People’s Path), announced on his Facebook page on Monday that he and the „Frăția Ortodoxă” (Orthodox Brotherhood) will raise a banner and Romanian national flags during Saturday’s conference.

However, the organizers require registration for admission to the event.