“We must count on a long struggle against the coronavirus and must protect ourselves within several fields”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in a Facebook post published early on Friday morning. “In the interests of procuring protective healthcare equipment, Hungary has turned to the Turkic Council, and we have already received assistance from two countries: Turkey and Uzbekistan”, the Minister stated.

“Within the field of healthcare, one of the most important tasks with relation to protecting against the coronavirus pandemic is that there should be sufficient protective equipment”, the Minister emphasised.

He pointed out that in the interests of assuring this, Hungary has ordered large quantities of equipment from China, from where dozens of aeroplanes transporting hundreds of tons of equipment will be arriving in Hungary over the coming days and weeks.

“In addition, a few days ago we also turned to the Turkic Council, and after Turkey authorised the shipment of 8 tons of textiles to Hungary for the production of face masks, today Uzbekistan is sending us a total of 150 thousand protective face masks”, he added.

“We owe our thanks and appreciation to the Turkish and Uzbekistani government for their assistance: it is in times of need that it becomes evident who are one’s true friends!”, Mr. Szijjártó wrote.

Attached to the Minister’s post was the letter he received from Uzbekistani Deputy Prime Minister Sardor Umurzakov, in which the Uzbekistani politician wrote. “As a friendly country and a partner member state in the Turkic Council, Uzbekistan is standing by Hungary in these difficult times”. The Uzbekistani Deputy Prime Minister assured the people of Hungary of his support, wishing them good health, solidarity and courage.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)