Trust in EU leaders and institutions will also further erode if they continue to respond slowly to crises and get entangled in “sham disputes”, Áder said. Concerning the migrant crisis, Áder emphasised the importance of ensuring security in every European state and urged multiple efforts to tackle the crisis.

These include reinforcing and more effectively protecting the EU’s external borders and strengthening cooperation among the member states’ law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Áder said.

The wealthier EU members and Brussels must fulfil their humanitarian duties in providing support for refugee camps set up in countries neighbouring crisis zones. Further, the EU must contribute to rebuilding the infrastructure in war-torn countries, he said.

Concerning the Balkan states, another issue on the agenda, Áder said that Hungary supports the swift inclusion of EU members Romania and Bulgaria in the EU’s visa-free Schengen zone, for which he said both countries had done a lot.

The participants agreed that the integration of non-EU Balkan countries would be crucial for the European Union’s stability, Áder said.

The Arraiolos Group, named after the Portuguese village where it first met in 2003, was originally set up with the aim to creating a forum for European presidents without executive power.

The group’s 12th meeting was attended by ten presidents.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Kovács Tamás