The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade takes the view that the closest link between Hungary and New-Zealand is the fight against terrorism, Péter Szijjártó said in Tapolca on Thursday where he had a meeting with New-Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully.

Mr Szijjártó said at the joint press conference held after his meeting with his New-Zealand counterpart Murray McCully held on Thursday in Tapolca: fighting off the Islamic State is a common interest “as we, Europeans know only too well that the more we fight off the Islamic State, the more the pressure of immigration weighing upon Europe is likely to abate”.

He stressed: at this point in time, minimising the pressure of immigration is the most important priority from a European and Hungarian point of view.

Hungary does not support the European approach which is aimed at the distribution of immigrants. “We seek to stop immigration, and defeating the Islamic State is imperative to this end”, he said.

He added that the two countries are undertaking roles similar both in their extent and nature in the fight against terrorism: they are present in Iraq with approximately 150 soldiers where they provide training support for the Iraqi military and the Peshmerga (Kurdish armed) forces.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade also pointed out: Hungary always supported New-Zealand’s non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council, and will also do so in September when the Oceanian country is to assume the Presidency. New-Zealand is a non-permanent member of the Security Council between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016.

Mr Szijjártó said: they also agreed that New-Zealand will support Hungary’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council.

Hungary was last a member of the UN’s most important human rights body between 2009-2012, and will repeatedly submit its membership bid for the period between 2017-2019.

Regarding economic cooperation, Mr Szijjártó said: Hungary is a committed supporter of the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the European Union and New-Zealand, subject to the reservation, however, that “we shall insist throughout that Hungary’s agricultural sensibilities should be duly taken into consideration”.

Trade between the two countries increased by ten per cent between January and May this year, and will reach fifty million dollars by the end of the year, he remarked.

The Minister takes the view that New-Zealand is the gateway to reinforcing cooperation with the Pacific region. This is one of the reasons why Hungary opened an embassy in New-Zealand, and a diplomat specialising in foreign trade relations will embark on a new mission in Wellington in September, he added.

Mr Szijjártó further told the press that negotiations regarding the avoidance of double taxation have begun, and it is to be hoped that the consultations concerning a social security cooperation agreement will be concluded within the shortest possible time.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade highlighted that the European logistic centre of the New-Zealand roofing material manufacturer AHI Roofing, which is also located in Veszprém County, in Várpalota, is the most successful New-Zealand business investment in Europe.

The New-Zealand Foreign Minister, who came to Tapolca as part of his European tour including the cities of Moscow, Paris, London and Bratislava, and will visit Budapest on Friday, said: New-Zealand greatly appreciates Hungary’s support which equally manifests itself in friendly, economic and trade relations.

Mr McCully highlighted: the Hungarian foreign representation recently opened in Wellington may further reinforce links between the two countries. He said: “we have common values”, and with joint efforts we may succeed in improving economic relations.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)