Addressing this year’s 3SI summit, Novák called the region’s economic cooperation important despite the fact that a focus was currently on the war in Ukraine.

She welcomed the adoption of a joint declaration and its provisions concerning Ukraine. Novák noted the two visits she paid to Kyiv in the past twelve months and reiterated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Hungary condemns the Russian aggression against that country and considers peace the most important goal to be achieved, she said.

Speaking about the 3SI initiative, she noted that it had been launched with the aim to enhance economic relations and promote effective connections within the region it covers.

She welcomed Greece’s joining the 3SI while highlighting the importance of promoting the Western Balkan countries through the initiative. She said she would welcome for the initiative to gradually open towards the region’s six countries.

The Hungarian president called attention to the importance of population growth which she said was essential to boosting competitiveness. Under the declaration adopted at the summit, Greece has been included in the 3SI.

On the summit’s sidelines, Novák held bilateral talks with Gitanas Nausėda, the president of Lithuania which will host the 3SI summit in 2024. Novák also held talks with Hunor Kelemen, the head of Romania’s ethnic Hungarian party RMDSZ.