“Hungary and Malta understand the gravity of the migration crisis, and the fact that a response must be provided to this challenge”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday in Budapest following talks with Maltese Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela.
At the joint press conference following the meeting, Mr. Szijjártó highlighted: “The two countries agree that the issue of the services provided to migrants must be kept within a national sphere of competence”. “We also agreed that illegal border crossing is not an administrative issue, but a crime, that migration is not a fundamental human right, that illegal immigration must be stopped as far as possible from Europe’s borders, and that assistance must be taken to where the trouble is”, he added.
“Although the two countries voted differently on the UN Global Compact for Migration, Malta supplemented the Compact with a national statement that includes many points that are common to Hungary’s position”, he noted.
According to Mr. Szijjártó, protecting the EU’s maritime border represents a greater challenge than protecting its land borders, but it is possible. “The basis for protecting maritime borders is that the EU must cease its immigration policy, which can be interpreted as an invitation, and which is inspiring more and more masses of people to set out for Europe while risking their lives”, he pointed out.
“The Hungarian and Maltese governments regard national sovereignty as an important issue, and if disputes do arise between them, they resolve these based on mutual respect, which is a good foundation for cooperation”, he also said.
“The two countries are supporting each other in their efforts within the UN, and accordingly Hungary is supporting Malta’s bid for non-permanent membership of the Security Council”, he stated.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister also spoke about the fact there are some three thousand Hungarians living in Malta, and 28 thousand Hungarian tourists visited the island last year. “This number is expected to increase further this year in view of the fact that a direct air passenger route to Malta from Debrecen will be launched on 1 April”, he added.
“This is also generating tasks in view of the fact than the number of consular cases is continuously increasing, and for this reason we will be opening a consulate in Valletta” he announced.
“Last year, bilateral trade flow increased by 88 percent, exceeding fifty million euros”, he noted.
Carmelo Abela said: “Migration is a global challenge, and accordingly countries must find a solution to the situation together”.
“Hungary and Malta are not only partners within the EU, since they also maintain excellent bilateral relations”, he highlighted. “We agree on some things and disagree on others, but have always related to each other with understanding”, he stated.
In reply to a question on Brexit, Mr. Szijjártó said: “The European Commission has still not assessed the damage it has caused by not being able to keep Great Britain in the European Union”. “It made a huge mistake by not helping the previous British Prime Minister to make remaining more attractive to the British than exiting through various changes”, he explained.
He said that in his opinion it is a major loss that an economy of such importance, a member of the Security Council and a nuclear power, is exiting the EU.
“The Government has set up a working group to prepare for the effects of Brexit, and is also ready for the possibility of the exit occurring with no agreement”, he told the press.
Carmelo Abela also spoke about the fact that an important partner is being lost with the exit of Great Britain. “It must be understood that this is not just a political and economic issue, but that there are people who are concerned for their future because of the situation that has developed”, he added.
(MTI)
