Katalin Novák met with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni in Rome

Illegal immigration, support for traditional family values, the distribution of EU funds and the Western Balkans were the topics discussed at the meeting of President of Hungary Katalin Novák and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Wednesday.

During their meeting, the politicians of the two allied countries discussed four topics – the Communications Directorate of Sándor Palace told MTI on Wednesday.

According to the information provided, the first topic was illegal migration, and both politicians agreed that it must be curbed.

The Prime Minister of Italy is planning to initiate a detailed debate of the issue at the EU summit in Stockholm, because according to her, while secondary migration is an important topic, the migration arriving in the European Union (EU) must be stopped at the border. We need measures that can actually prevent illegal immigrants from entering the European Union. The Hungarian President outlined Hungary's position, which has remained unchanged for years: illegal immigration is a threat to Europe, which must be stopped. The demographic and labour market problems of our region should not be solved by encouraging immigration.

Strengthening traditional family values also helps young people to start a family and raise children. A strong family policy is in the fundamental interest of both Italy and Hungary, and both countries intend to pursue such a policy.

The third question discussed at the meeting was the enlargement of the EU to include the Western Balkans. The two politicians agreed that enlargement is needed as soon as possible, and that this is not just in the interest of the six countries intending to join, but also in the interest of the EU.

The fourth topic was EU funds. The Italian Prime Minister is initiating a more flexible system, able to respond to the challenges of our age. The President of Hungary also agreed that Member States must actually get the funds that are due to them, and that the EU must apply rules on use that serve the interests of the given nation and the European Union at the same time."