LUDOVIKA UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

The European Union as seen from Washington

How do you see the internal wayfinding of the European Union (EU) and its foreign policy actions on the world political stage from the United States? On November 30, thanks to the invitation of UPS’s Strategic Studies Institute (STI), Kevin Roberts gave an insight into the republican, conservative foreign policy at the Europe of Nations Career Program Europe Club event in the John Lukacs Lounge of the Ludovika Side Building. In his opening speech, Gergely Prőhle, director of the STI, emphasized that the renowned American historian actively and dynamically participates in the shaping of North American public policy.

"In the 21st century, our states are threatened by the same levels: primarily the international organizations that are above us, and secondly the sub-national movements that erode the independence of nation-states", emphasized Kevin Roberts in his opening speech, who pointed out: "Only very few Western countries stand up to this with such courage, like the Hungarians."

Reflecting on the words of the American historian, the Deputy State Secretary responsible for international relations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Oszkár Ökrös, explained: “between 2007 and 2014, a change took place within the European elite, during which the power of left-wing ideas became the majority.”

Analyzing Kevin Roberts' presentation, the head of the American Studies Research Institute of the UPS’s József Eötvös Research Center said: “it all depends on who, how and from where the European Union is viewed.” Balázs Mártonffy also drew attention to the fact that the two major parties in the United States of America are defined by two camps each, so that American foreign policy is formed from at least four directions.

In the closing speech of the event, the deputy state secretary who heads the Prime Minister's Office of Political Directors pointed out that the success of European cooperation is important from Hungary's point of view. "What everyone can agree on is that the EU has become too much of a space for political debate, but it's an open game and it's up to us how we shape the future of Europe." Márton Ugrósdy stated: “at the EU level, the Hungarian government will always stand up for the values stemming from its history, and it has the domestic political authority to do so. People can decide what kind of country and Europe they want to live in, and what kind of European Union the Hungarian government wants. At the same time, we remain committed to the direction of the EU", emphasized the deputy state secretary.

Text:Melinda Pap

Photo: Dénes Szilágyi