The European commissioner for foreign affairs and security policy has asked every member state to provide help to troubled countries outside the bloc. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that Hungary will continue to help other central and eastern European countries in their efforts to contain the novel coronavirus epidemic, in line with the EU's policy.
Minister Szijjártó said the funds were discussed during a video conference initiated by Josep Borrell, the commissioner, to determine the distribution of 15.5 billion euro assistance the EU has set aside as a bloc to help troubled countries in the western Balkans, in Africa and Asia.
The minister said Hungary has so far provided 600,000 face masks and 30,000 protective suits to neighboring Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, as well as to North Macedonia and the Bosnian Serb Republic.
Minister Szijjártó noted that Hungary had so far received from China consignments of 36 million masks and a machine line for the production of an additional 2.8 million masks per month. He added that additional consignments of 5 million face masks, protective suits and 140 ventilators are expected to arrive in Hungary from China during the day.
A call center set up for advice on the coronavirus can be reached on +36-80-277-455 and +36-80-277-456 or by email koronavirus@bm.gov.hu