The Presidency is delighted to welcome you to the 63rd iMEP Session Szeged/Budapest, and to warmly welcome you to Hungary. It is a great honour for us to host this session and to meet such a motivated and diverse group of delegates. We hope that during your stay you will experience not only the spirit of iMEP, but also the warmth and hospitality for which Hungary is known.

This year, the session will take place across two remarkable Hungarian cities, with Szeged taking a central role in our program. Situated in southern Hungary, close to the borders of Romania and Serbia, Szeged has long served as a bridge between nations, cultures, and ideas. Its location highlights Hungary’s place at the heart of Central Europe, and the city itself is a gateway for understanding regional cooperation and European interconnectedness.

Szeged is also one of Hungary’s most important university cities, renowned for its academic excellence, vibrant student life, and culture of innovation and research. The city embodies the charm and splendour of a Central European university town, where intellectual curiosity meets creativity, and tradition meets progress. During our session, we will be welcomed into historic venues that reflect this rich heritage, including the Votive Church of Szeged, the city’s iconic cathedral, and the Szeged Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Hungary and a landmark of European cultural diversity. These spaces will serve as the backdrop for our discussions, reminding us of the enduring values of dialogue, cooperation, and respect that shape Europe.

Beyond its cultural and academic significance, Szeged is also a dynamic economic hub. The region hosts key automotive industries and participates in international trade corridors, including those connected to the modern revival of the Chinese Silk Road. These industries and international links are not abstract—they are a living example of Europe’s economic and technological challenges, which are directly reflected in several of the committee topics you will debate during this session.
And of course, Szeged is famous for something uniquely Hungarian: its paprika, widely celebrated as the best in the country. This culinary tradition reminds us that European identity is shaped not only by institutions and policies, but also by local heritage, regional pride, and the everyday life of its citizens.

The Model European Parliament is founded on the idea of educating young people, encouraging critical thinking, and creating a space where devoted young citizens of the European Union can exchange ideas and develop their political skills. iMEP is a platform where dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect are at the heart of every discussion.

During this session, delegates will take part in in-depth debates on issues currently shaping the European Union. Through structured discussion and exchange of ideas, participants will explore different viewpoints, develop well-founded arguments, and work together to better understand the challenges Europe faces today. The goal is not only to express individual perspectives, but also to foster cooperation and guide participants towards building shared solutions within the European decision-making process.

Beyond committee work, iMEP is about people. It is about forming friendships, strengthening connections, and creating a supportive and inspiring community. Many of the relationships you establish here will last long beyond the session, becoming valuable personal and professional connections for the future.

We look forward to sharing this meaningful experience with you and to welcoming you to an unforgettable iMEP session in Szeged and Budapest, at the heart of Central Europe.

Kind regards on behalf of the Presidency,
Viola Kalmár, Zsombor Harai and Dániel Krámos
Presidents of the 63rd iMEP Szeged/Budapest