The European Union must engage in a balanced policy regarding the Middle East conflict, and should therefore convene the next meeting of the EU-Israeli Association Council within the shortest possible time, Levente Magyar, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said at the Brussels meeting of EU Foreign Ministers held on Monday.

According to Mr Magyar attendees reviewed the status of the Middle East peace process and stated their views on the chances of renewed Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

At the meeting Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy rendered an account of the donor conference, held the week before, in aid of the countries of the Sahel region where Hungary offered to increase the number of its soldiers serving in the military training mission in Mali from six to twenty-one.

In his communication the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade pointed out the stability of this region is of the utmost significance, and strengthening the army of Mali is key in the fight against illegal immigration and terrorism.

“The Hungarian government is convinced that migration must be stopped through the protection of the EU’s external borders”, he stressed.

They also reviewed the state of reforms in Moldova. Regarding this item of the agenda the Parliamentary State Secretary pointed out Hungary has always supported the closest possible cooperation with the countries situated in the neighbourhood of the European Union.

“The EU must encourage the continuation of reforms in Moldova, and must support the country. As regards EU expectations, we need a realistic approach”, Mr Magyar wrote.

Finally he said that EU Foreign Ministers condemned the anti-democratic measures of the Venezuelan government in the strongest possible terms, and called upon Caracas to make every effort to start a dialogue with the democratic opposition and to ensure the free and lawful implementation of the upcoming presidential election.

(MTI)