“There can be no doubt that Europe is facing major historic challenges, and these challenges have made certain countries and institutions lose their common sense”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó told Hungarian news agency MTI in a telephone statement from Cyprus, where he is attending a session of the Council of Europe’s Ministerial Committee.
“We believe that when we are facing such extremely major challenges and crises, the countries and institutions of Europe should be placing emphasis on honest, open and direct dialogue, instead of European institutions using the situation to pick on certain European countries, launch unfair and undeserved attacks against them, make unfounded accusations and a string of slanderous statements based on false allegations against certain European countries”, the Minister stressed.
Mr. Szijjártó particularly objected to the fact that pressure is being applied to precisely those countries that are openly stating the dangers threatening Europe and offering realistic solutions to them.
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“For instance, with regard to migration, they are attacking those countries that have made it clear that immigration is a question of security and who are not prepared to allow illegal immigrants into their territory”, the Minister emphasised.
According to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, the European Parliament has also become an institution of this kind, and instead of performing its true function, it has become the site for unfounded and despicable attacks against certain targeted countries.
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Mr. Szijjártó said he had met with his Polish counterpart Witold Waszczykowski, who assured him that Poland will not be assisting in any kind of political attack and in no way supports the fact that European institutions are threatening certain EU member states with Article 7 proceedings.
The Minister held bilateral talks with several other colleagues, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, to whom he indicated that Hungary would like to commence talks on the possible continuation of natural gas shipments following 2021.
In addition, Mr. Szijjártó met with Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, noting in the statement that the Western Balkan state was an excellent example of what can happen if a country’s affairs are interfered in from outside, and that this can lead to the destabilisation of even the most stable countries that are already well on their way towards European integration.
Mr. Szijjártó also met with Montenegrin Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanović and Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić to discuss improved cooperation, and with Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Galbur to discuss facilitation of the country’s EU integration process.
“The success of Hungary’s Eastern Opening strategy is also in the security and economic interests of the European Union”, the Minister stressed.
Mr. Szijjártó also spoke with Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who assured him that the Swiss Government is prepared to continue the so-called Swiss Contribution, with which Bern is assisting less developed EU member states, following 2017.
(MTI)
