“The performance of Hungary and the Hungarian government in protecting against the coronavirus epidemic is clearly highly appreciated within the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the organisation’s opinion with relation to the fact that Hungary performed particularly well during the first wave of the epidemic is apparent”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared following a meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday.

According to the Minister, it is however also clear that the second wave of the epidemic holds different challenges for the whole world that are much larger and more difficult than those posed by the first wave. “The main difficulty with relation to the first wave was the fact that the whole world was unprepared for a global pandemic of this magnitude, but since then there has been enough time for healthcare systems to prepare for the next wave”, he explained.
“WHO officials are making clearly positive statements with relation to the fact that Hungary has been able to procure the equipment necessary for protection”, Mr. Szijjártó said in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI. According to the Minister, the WHO can also see the debate that the opposition is conducting in Hungary concerning the procurement of the equipment needed for protection, whether it be respirators, masks or other PPE equipment. “The organisation’s position is that it is better for a country to be over-insured with relation to the equipment needed for protection than for people to have to die because of a lack of equipment. Hungary’s healthcare system is prepared, and this is something that the WHO also views with acknowledgement”, Mr. Szijjártó underlined.

According to the Minister, during his negotiations with WHO leaders there was agreement concerning the fact that the total closure of a country, including the ordering of a curfew and the closure of schools and workplaces, must only take place as a last resort. “The WHO’s regulations correspond almost fully with the will of the Hungarian people as expressed during the National Consultation, namely that the country must continue to function. The functioning of the country and protecting people’s lives and health are fully compatible, and this is also the position of the WHO: if the more sensitive groups can be suitably protected, individual responsibility can be suitably stressed and the formation of large groups can be prevented, then the functioning of countries can be maintained”, he stated.

“The introduction of national healthcare measures and the functioning of countries are fully compatible with each other”, the Minister emphasised. “The Hungarian government is acting in full accordance with WHO regulations and recommendations in view of the fact that the regulations on wearing masks, the regulations concerning testing, the requirements relating to going into quarantine, and the protection of the elderly are all in harmony with WHO requirements”, the Minister stated. “We are clearly recognised at the WHO, and they agree with us with relation to the fact that the country’s functionality and the protection of the people can be realised simultaneously. Hungary performed well during the first wave of the epidemic, and based on the level of preparedness of the healthcare system we have every chance of also being able to perform well during the second wave”, he declared.

While in Geneva, Mr. Szijjártó also held talks with the new Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Daren Tang. Following the meeting, the Minister said that a clearly positive opinion of Hungary has also developed at the international organisation that regulates patents. “Hungary is in about thirtieth place in the innovation rankings, which may be regarded as a good placing if we take into account the fact that we are in 92nd place with relation to the size of our population. But we will be further improving on this in future, and are working on ensuring that geographical origin markings are afforded protection as broadly as possible in view of the fact that, from the perspective of food industry and agricultural products such as Tokaj wine, Csabai and Gyulai sausage, and other industrial products such as Herend porcelain, this is extremely important to Hungary from an economic perspective”, Mr. Szijjártó said.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)