The Government of Hungary is seriously concerned about and strongly condemns the senseless violence based on radical ideology, which through the military advancement of the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation in Iraq resulted in the deterioration of the security situation and in particular through the increased religious violence threatens the security of the entire Middle Eastern region and the mere existence of the Christian communities.

We are particularly concerned about the reports that up to a quarter of Iraq’s Christians are fleeing after Islamist militants seized Qaraqosh, the Christian minority’s biggest town in the country. We find it dramatic that the previously 1.5 million-strong Iraqi Christian community in the last 10 years since the outbreak of the Iraqi crisis has shrunk to 400.000 people, while the present situation threatens the mere existence of this remaining community.  Hungary's firm belief is that the international community must do everything to protect them.

We reiterate our firm commitment to Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and support the efforts of the central government to fight terrorism and restore its constitutional power on the territories occupied by the armed groups of the IS. We support any solution which strengthens the territorial integrity of Iraq and guarantees the existence and future of all ethnic and religious communities in the country, particularly that of the Christian community. The crisis cannot be solved by military means only. The government in Bagdad should make a clear distinction between the terrorists and those moderate Sunnis striving for their legitimate rights. The crisis must be solved through established democratic institutions and by bringing on board the Sunni and Kurd communities.  We welcome the election of the Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives (Sunni) and the President of Iraq (Kurd). We hope that by the election of the Prime Minister Iraq will be able to move forward on the road of political stabilization. We acknowledge the role the Kurdish Autonomic Region plays in maintaining security in the North and we do hope that the Kurdish leadership continues to be a stabilizing factor.

(Government)