“Libya’s stability is in Europe’s interests, to assure that illegal migration can be successfully curbed”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI from Rome, where he will be holding a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio.

“It is in all of our interests to curb migration aimed at the territory of the European Union to the greatest possible extent”, he emphasised. The Minister pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic is yet another factor that could give rise to waves of migration. He said that from this perspective, Libya is the most dangerous stakeholder in view of the fact that illegal immigrants are able to come over to the continent practically unimpeded from there. “We agree with Italy with respect to the fact that Libya’s stability is in the interests of Europe, because it will enable the curbing of migration aimed at Europe”, he added.

The Minister highlighted that accordingly the reinforcement of the Libyan coast guard, aimed at stopping illegal immigrants leaving Libya by boat, is also a common interest. “If this is not successful, then tens or hundred of thousands more people could set out towards Europe, and in the current situation this not only represents a cultural and security risk to Europe, but also a major health risk and economic risk in view of the fact that jobs have been lost because of the coronavirus epidemic, and this is particularly true of Italy”, he stated. “For this reason, all previous Western European arguments concerning the legalisation of illegal migration, and which want to bring immigrants into Europe for the purposes of labour, have now become irrational and invalid, and should be rejected”, Mr. Szijjártó emphasised.

“The primary task of European governments and politicians is to help the people of Europe, and accordingly all waves of migration aimed at employment should now be curbed as forcefully as possible”, he declared. Mr. Szijjártó pointed out that Italy is the most endangered and frontline country with relation to migration aimed at Europe. “This year, three times as many illegal immigrants have arrived in Italy than last year”, he added.

The Minister also spoke about the fact that Italy is highly important to Hungary from several aspects, and is the country’s fifth most important trade partner and third most important export market. “Last year, trade flow exceeded ten billion euros, in addition to which Italy also has the fifth most important investor community in Hungary. Italy’s rapid economic recovery following the crisis is also in Hungary’s fundamental interests from both an economic and security perspective”, he stated.

“The Italian market is very important to Hungarian enterprises, and accordingly, in the interests of assuring that the slowdown in the Italian economy does not cause difficulties for Hungarian enterprises with relation to exports, we have opened a 450-million-euro credit line at Hungary’s EximBank to assist Hungarian enterprises that export to Italy”, the Minister emphasised.

Mr. Szijjártó also spoke about Hungarian-Italian security cooperation in the interests of Western Balkan stability. He pointed out that Hungary is currently present in Kosovo with 400 soldiers under Italian command. He emphasised that in time Hungary would like to take over the command from the Italians.

He also said that there is continuous discussion between the two parties with relation to tourism, in view of the fact that over 550 thousand Hungarian tourists holidayed in Italy last year. “Wizz Air will be re-launching air passenger services to seven Italian cities from July”, he added, but warned everyone to remain cautious because of the coronavirus pandemic.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade / MTI)