“Hungarian-Dutch relations are friendly, and this is something we can also build on with relation to debates on the future of the EU”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said following a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders.
“Hungary and Holland agree on many things with regard to the challenges facing the European Union, although there are also differences in our standpoints”, Mr. Szijjártó said. “What we definitely agree on is that the EU’s most important virtue is unity, and accordingly all eventualities that could lead to the deterioration of that unity should be avoided”, he declared.
“It is precisely for this reason that we are of a similar opinion with regard to Brexit, which we both regret, because it would have been better for the EU if the British had voted to stay”, he told reporters. “The exit will cause major damage from both an economic and political perspective, but we respect the decision of the British people”, he added.
“The fact that there is debate about the future of the European Union is good news, because it would be unrealistic to expect 28 sovereign Member States to always agree on everything. What isn’t good news, however, is that a significant proportion of debates do not occur on the basis of common sense, but issues are instead disputed according to emotions, while debate should occur according to common sense and international law”, he explained.
Mr. Szijjártó also spoke about the fact that although there are differences in the Hungarian and Dutch standpoints concerning immigration, the Dutch Government has always argued with a clear head and Hungary has never been the subject of insults from Holland.
“We also agree that the protection of the European Union’s external borders is important, that the fight against terrorism is important, and that uncontrolled and unrestricted immigration is causing trouble in Europe”, he said.
“Hungary regards immigration as an issue of security and sovereignty; we will not give up any element of our sovereignty and only the Hungarians can decide on the county’s future and about who we allow into the country”, the Foreign Minister highlighted.
Mr. Szijjártó also mentioned that Holland is Hungary’s 9th most important trade partner and Hungarian-Dutch economic and trade cooperation has a significant effect on the performance of the Hungarian economy in view of the fact that the 800 Dutch enterprises currently operating in Hungary provide jobs to some 22 thousand people and the total value of Dutch investment in Hungary exceeds two billion euros.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders stressed: “For the Member States of the European Union to stay together also requires debating our differences. Like in every family, in the EU there are also things that some people don’t like, but others do”, he said. “What they agree on is more important than what they don’t agree on”, he added. According to Mr. Koenders, “Bridges must be built in Europe so we can stay together and move forward in this dangerous world”.
In reply to a question on Brexit, the Dutch Foreign Minister explained: “Great Britain was an important ally and its exit is a loss, but hopefully we will succeed in concluding good agreements with the UK”.
In reply to a question concerning residency bonds, Mr. Szijjártó told the press: “Similar constructions exist in several countries, including several EU Member States, and if someone has a concrete legal problem with the bonds then they should “take the relative steps at the relative authorities”, “but until then everything is simply political argument”.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
