“A new wave of migration would represent a major health and economic risk, and the coronavirus could cause an increase in illegal migration in view of the fact that the pandemic has had a greater effect on countries that were already in a difficult situation”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared at a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart in Madrid.

Mr. Szijjártó reported on the fact that in view of their differing situations, Hungary and Spain have different perspectives with relation to the issue of migration, but there are also common points, and for instance he and Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya had agreed that merciless action must be taken against people smugglers, and that assistance must be taken to where the trouble is. With relation to this, he said the two countries are launching a joint water management project in Morocco to improve the living conditions of the local population.

The Minister underlined that one of the most important state tasks is currently to protect jobs, and he welcomed the decision made on the previous day by the European Commission to authorise a Hungarian funding program aimed at compensating large companies for the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

With relation to the lessons that may be learned from the pandemic, he emphasised that Europe can never again find itself in such a vulnerable position as during recent months, and accordingly certain strategic capacities must be established, regardless of financial considerations, even if is may seem “superfluous” in peacetime.

Mr. Szijjártó told reporters that Spain is Hungary’s 15th most important trade partner, and the 200 Spanish enterprises currently operating in Hungary provide jobs to over 5000 people, but there remain a host of unexploited opportunities within the field of bilateral cooperation. In addition, he announced that Hungary will be opening a new consular representation in the southern Spanish city of Malaga.

In reply to a question from the press, Arancha González Laya explained that there may not be agreement between the two countries concerning everything regarding the handling of immigration, but they will be working to find a compromise solution at European Union level based on the principle of fairness and solidarity.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)