Resolving issues in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iran is crucial so that NATO is able to effectively focus on the fight against the Islamic State – said Péter Szijjártó Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Antalya on Wednesday.

Péter Szijjártó said that the ministers agreed on the fact that the increased influence of the Islamic State - which is the most brutal terrorist organization of all times - created a completely new security environment, and the strongest defence organisation of the world has to adjust to it. In order to achieve that and to combat IS effectively, three main issues need to be tackled as soon as possible: the war must be ended in Ukraine, the situation must be stabilised in Afghanistan and a final agreement has to be concluded on the Iranian nuclear program.

Concerning the Ukraine crisis, the Minister said that Hungary welcomes that negotiations have started again between the United States and Russia on Tuesday, and considers it a very positive step forward since a pragmatic cooperation of these two countries is a global interest. Consequently, this is the main pillar of bringing the Ukraine conflict to an end as soon as possible. At the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, Péter Szijjártó also stressed that it is only a peaceful resolution based on the Minsk agreement that Hungary can support.

Regarding reforms in Ukraine, Hungary has clearly defined its expectations, thus, the rights of the community of 150,000 ethnic Hungarians should not be curbed either in public administration or in the use of their mother tongue. He also emphasised that the sanctions policy triggered by the Ukraine crisis has serious economic impacts, and the conflict is needed to be settled as soon as possible in order to avoid the irreversible state of economic instability.

Talking about Afghanistan, the Minister stated that stabilising the situation there is highly important as well, since should ongoing reforms fail to continue, all the efforts and sacrifices would have been in vain. It is clear that the presence of the North Atlantic Alliance in Afghanistan is necessary even after the expiration of the recent NATO mission. To this effect, the defence capabilities of the Afghan security forces should be further strengthened, he said, adding that in 2015-2017, Hungary would provide USD 1.5 million for these purposes. He noted that Hungary has been participating in a NATO-led mission there with a 132-strong contingent and will continue to do so. He added that Hungary will also contribute to the establishment of the frameworks of the future partnership between Afghanistan and the NATO.

In connection with Iran, Péter Szijjártó said that according to Hungary, the final agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme should be concluded by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Germany and Iran by the end of June. He said that reaching a consensus with Iran would be crucial for the stability of the Middle East. The Hungarian Minister will meet his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on 18 May to discuss the diplomatic support Hungary could provide to help in reaching an agreement as soon as possible.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)