“The Hungarians and Latvians are two freedom-loving peoples and their cooperation is mutually advantageous”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared on Friday in Riga.

At a joint press conference following talks with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, Mr. Szijjártó highlighted: “Hungary regards cooperation with Latvia as mutually advantageous from the perspective of defence, politics and the economy alike”. “It is also advantageous that the two countries share similar standpoints on many issues during debates on the future of the European Union”, he added. With relation to bilateral cooperation, he emphasised: “In 2022, Hungary will once again be taking part in the defence of Baltic air space”. “Hungary has submitted its request to join NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, which is based in Riga”, he stated.

Mr. Szijjártó told the press that both countries are committed supporters of EU enlargement, view it as a strategic issue, and regard it as a mistake that the EU has failed to make the decisions necessary for Western Balkan enlargement in the recent period. He also spoke about the fact that both countries want to maintain the current level of cohesion funding during the debate on the European Union’s multiannual financial framework, and do not accept the introduction of subjective conditions with relation to the distribution of EU funding.

The Foreign Minister also spoke about the fact that Hungary and Latvia both regard border protection as outstandingly important: “We want to defend our homeland and defend our citizens”. “In addition, we reject Brussels plans based on mandatory quotas and did not vote in favour of the UN Global Compact for Migration”, he pointed out.

With relation to economic cooperation, Mr. Szijjártó told the press that Hungary’s Eximbank has opened a 360-million-euro credit line to promote cooperation between Hungarian and Latvian enterprises. “Latvia is making a major effort to modernise its economy, and Hungary is doing the same with relation to the Hungarian economy, which is undergoing a dimensional transition, and according enterprises from Hungary and Latvia could support each other in the upcoming period”, he said. “Hungary is backing Latvia’s candidacy for membership of the UN Security Council for the 2026-2027 period, because it is right that middle-sized Central European countries should be represented in the body”, he noted.

“Relations between the two countries are characterised by mutual respect, which is to a great extent founded on the fact that we are talking about two freedom-loving peoples who until very recently had to fight for their freedom and sovereignty against communist oppression”, the Minister highlighted.

During his visit to Riga, the Hungarian Foreign Minister met with Latvian Economy Minister Ralfs Nemiro and head of the Latvian Catholic Church Metropolitan Archbishop of Riga Zbigņevs Stankevičs, in addition to which he also paid a visit to the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.

(MTI)