France: Visiting French President Emmanuel Macron and his host, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, emphasized teamwork while acknowledging their differences, in a joint press statement issued today.

Macron described Orban as a "political foe but a European partner" with whom he could reach an agreement last week. The Hungarian Prime Minister, who opened Monday's press conference, quoted the French President's statements and assured him that European partnership was also very important to his government.

Orban expressed gratitude for Macron's visit, recalling that the last time a French President visited Hungary was in 2007. "Hungary's relationship with France is built on mutual respect," the Hungarian Prime Minister stated, citing three important areas where the two countries agreed.

"We both love our nation," Orban said. "We're trying to improve Europe, and we've given ourselves the objective of giving Europe strategic autonomy."

He went on to say, "We support the strategy of common European defense capabilities, nuclear energy, and a robust European farming industry." The economies of both nations are strongly reliant on nuclear power, and Budapest and Paris are lobbying the EU to encourage nuclear power and recognize it as a green investment. Macron stated that the two countries agreed on the importance of a united Europe.

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