A peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine is the only acceptable solution for Hungary, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade declared in a telephone interview with Hungarian public TV channel M1 on Friday, confirming the standpoint of the government.
Giving an account of the discussion between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Péter Szijjártó said that Hungary as a neighbouring country is clearly interested in the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
He emphasised that a Hungarian community of 150 000 people live in the neighbouring country and a substantial portion of Hungary’s energy supply arrives through Ukraine. According to him, it is also in Hungary’s interest that "each party adheres" to the agreements concluded in Minsk.
Péter Szijjártó said that Ukrainian MP László Breznovics, president of the Hungarian Cultural Federation in Transcarpathia (Kárpátaljai Magyar Kulturális Szövetség - KMKSZ), also participated in the negotiation held in Kiev as part of the delegation of the President of Ukraine. "We consider this a significant gesture from the Ukrainian party, which deserves acknowledgement and appreciation", he added.
The President of Ukraine said during the discussions that Ukraine considers itself to be capable of coping with the wave of internal refugees, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. Hungary would support these efforts in every possible way, Péter Szijjártó said, adding that humanitarian aid worth approximately HUF 100 million has been sent to Ukraine so far and "Hungary has launched one of its greatest aid operations ever” for the assistance of Ukrainian internal refugees.
The President of Ukraine thanked Hungary for the humanitarian aid and for enabling gas transport to Ukraine again as promised, Szijjártó announced.
Péter Szijjártó also said that Hungary is firmly committed to its standpoint that the proportion of Hungarians enlisted or conscripted cannot be higher than the proportion of the Hungarian community compared to the whole population of Ukraine. He noted that so far this percentage has not been higher.
KMKSZ is following the conscriptions and they will report any unwanted incident or negative development they observe. Péter Szijjártó stated that no warning has been indicated so far.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
