“European security now begins in Africa, and there is no global challenge that does not involve both countries simultaneously”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in Brussels following a ministerial level meeting between the European Union and the African Union.

At a short press conference, the Minister reported on the fact that in addition to economic cooperation, all those who made speeches at the session also dealt with the issue of migration.

“Migration cooperation should not serve the goal of enabling as many people as possible to leave Africa, but be should instead work of creating condition thanks to which nobody, if possible is forced to leave their home because of their living conditions and as many as possible are able to stay at home, ideally everybody”, he stressed.

During the course of this it must be made clear, however, what everyone means by the importance, nature and goal of cooperation, and in addition, having drawn the conclusions from the debate on the UN Global Compact for Migration, it must be determined in every case, even if only in a footnote, that immigration is not a fundamental human right”, Mr. Szijjártó underlined.

He highlighted the fact that migration “bears with it extremely serious security risks”, and not only for target countries, but also with respect to source and transit countries, and states have the right to not belong to any of these categories.

He pointed out that Europe must help to create and reinforce the economic, political, legal and security stability of African countries.

With relation to this, he told reporters that he will be visiting Tunisia on Wednesday in view of the fact that the local authorities have asked Hungary to provide assistance towards the reinforcement of their border protection capabilities, and according to the Hungarian Government the prime requisite for the stability of North African states is that they must be able to protect their borders.

In addition, Mr. Szijjártó stressed that it is important to help young Africans acquire competitive knowledge, and drew attention to the fact that there are currently 1422 African students attending Hungarian universities, 895 within the framework of the Government’s scholarship programme, who on returning home will contribute to a more favourable future for their respective countries.

In closing, the Minister said that following Nigeria, Hungary is now also supporting Christian communities and the improvement of living conditions for Christian refugees in Congo, Ethiopia and Uganda within the framework of the Hungary Helps Programme.

In reply to a question from the press, the Minister informed the press that no representatives of the Hungarian Government will be taking part in next week’s European parliament debate on the situation in Hungary.

“There is an election campaign underway; we will leave the theatricals to those who want to take part I them”, he said.

Hungarian news agency MTI asked the Minister about the proposal put forward by his Polish counterpart, according to which a five-year deadline would be set for the application of the so-called Northern Ireland Reserve Solution, thus resolving the existing paralysis with relation to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.

“Everyone has the right to put forward proposals, and we respect his opinion, but all decisions must be made by the 27 EU member states, while striving to achieve unity, if possible”, he stated.

On Monday, Mr. Szijjártó held bilateral talks with the foreign ministers of Botswana and Sierra Leone, and on Tuesday with the head diplomats of Mali and Ghana.

(MTI/Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)