Summit decisions must apply, Costa says in an interview with TT and partners in the European news agency cooperation European Newsroom (ENR).
Therefore, he expects that Hungary, despite its stated threats to the contrary, will not say no to the 90 billion loan to Ukraine that the EU's heads of state and government approved at their summit in December.
"It would be completely unacceptable if a country backed down after we had agreed on a decision. What I expect from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is that he respects what we agreed on December 18," Costa says emphatically.
Energy conversation
However, he cannot say how to stop Hungary from pressing the "no" button if the formal decision is made at a ministerial meeting.
"But you know, I'm an optimist. No member state has the right not to respect what we have all decided," Costa said.
The EU leadership is likely hoping that Tuesday's decision to help Ukraine repair the oil pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungary will be decisive. However, they are formally avoiding linking the two issues.
Talks with Moscow?
Thursday's EU summit comes amid soaring energy prices due to the war in and around Iran. Costa expects leaders will need to agree on what form of crisis measures are needed.
Here too, Hungary stands out, with calls to ease energy sanctions against Russia, something that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has also signalled openness to.
Costa clearly says no to that. However, he may consider following De Wever's call to at least start talking to those in power in the Kremlin.
"We will have to talk to Russia. Not about energy, but about European security, about peace in Ukraine. It will happen one day - but not now," Costa says, who for now wants to "avoid disrupting" the US's efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.
The President of the Council of the EU since 1 December 2024 is António Costa (born 1961).
He was Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015 to 2024 as leader of the social democratic PS. Previously, he also served as Minister of Justice and Administration and as mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015.
As President of the Council, Costa prepares and chairs all summits with EU heads of state and government. He also represents the EU together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at various other summits and trips.
His mandate is for 2.5 years, with the possibility of one extension.
