Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome for the second time in a week as the Hungarian leader tours EU capitals before the country assumes the presidency of the EU from July 1.

The Hungarian premier will travel to Paris on June 26 before the informal meeting of the European Council, where the decision is expected on the top positions in EU institutions.

The talks revolved around that topic and Hungary’s agenda for the upcoming presidency, and less about the role of Fidesz in the European Parliament, according to local media. 

Meloni expressed support for the priorities of Hungary's EU presidency programme, which include addressing demographic decline, increasing competitiveness, and strengthening European defence, Hungarian state news agency MTI reported.

During their joint press conference, she described the bilateral relations between Rome and Budapest as excellent, stressing that Hungary is an important European partner of Italy and a Nato ally. She agreed on the need to protect EU borders, combat illegal migration, and collaborate with African nations. 

At the joint press conference, Orban stressed that Hungary’s EU rotating presidency would put a European competitiveness pact centre stage. The two countries have a common interest in a successful and competitive European economy, as well as in a policy that does not isolate them from partners outside Europe, he added.

In connection with illegal migration, Orban said Hungary supported Italy’s proposal regarding a comprehensive European strategy for African development. 

The Hungarian leader also expressed his commitment to strengthening European right-wing parties but ruled out joining Meloni's European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group due to the inclusion of the Romanian nationalist party AUR, which he described as "anti-Hungarian".

According to earlier reports, many factions within ECR objected vehemently to accepting the ruling Hungarian party to its ranks. It remains to be seen which faction Fidesz will join, if any. 

Fidesz currently is not a member of any European Parliament group, since it pulled out of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) two years ago. After the meeting with Meloni a week ago, Orban told Italian media that he did not know what the future held for his Fidesz party as talks on joining the Identity and Democracy Group had not materialised. 

At the press conference, Orban criticized the current process of selecting top EU positions, describing it as a partisan "party agreement" that excludes other countries. This was based on a 2014 decision by the European Commission's then-president to turn the body into a political player, according to him.

The heads of EU institutions should not be selected on a party political basis, adding that he would not back the relevant "party agreement". Everyone should be included and no country should feel they are in a minority or opposition, he added.

European leaders held an informal summit on June 17 that failed to reach a final deal, but incumbent European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (EPP) looks set to secure another five-year term. Former Portuguese premier Antonio da Costa (Socialists and Democrats) is tipped as the next president of the European Council, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Kallas (Reform Europe) is expected to be the new high representative for foreign affairs and security.

In related news, following Hungary's game against Scotland on June 23, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's convoy was involved in an accident en route to the airport in Stuttgart. A 69-year-old woman ignored a roadblock and collided with a motorcycle policeman, resulting in the death of the 61-year-old officer.