The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade summoned Spain’s Ambassador to Budapest on Wednesday with relation to the Spanish Foreign Minister’s statements criticising Hungary.

The Ministry’s Parliamentary State Secretary Levente Magyar told reporters that the far left-wing Spanish Government’s Foreign Minister, Josep Borell, had made a rough outburst against Hungary at a public forum. “There may be differences of opinion between the two countries, and in this turbulent European political situation criticisms may also arise in the minds of certain countries, but the tone of these criticisms cannot overstep the framework of fairness and correct cooperation, particularly if the Hungarian party has no tangible way of responding”, he added.

According to the State Secretary, at the forum the Spanish Foreign Minister accused Hungary of xenophobia and claimed that there is no separation of powers and no freedom of the press, in addition to which he called Hungary and the other countries of the region pseudo-democracies.

Mr. Magyar declared that Hungary rejects the claims made by the Spanish Foreign Minister in view of the fact that anyone visiting Hungary can see that there is full freedom of the press, the branches of power do indeed operate separately, and that the Hungarian people are not xenophobic. “It is understandable that following the Orbán-Salvini meeting and the Sargentini Report Hungary occupies a top spot in European political speech, but if speaks about Hungary in the tone used by Josep Borell, it is something the Hungarian Government cannot accept”, he added.

The State Secretary also indicated that relations with Spain are improving at a particularly rapid rate, and the Spanish Foreign Minister is due to visit Budapest in October.

(MTI)