The Foreign Minister has revealed that Hungary is providing help at multiple levels to Georgia in deepening its ties with the European Union and NATO.
While attending a conference in Georgia’s second-largest city Batumi, Péter Szijjártó told MTI that failure to bring stability, peace and progress to the EU’s eastern neighborhood will also affect central Europe, and therefore Hungary.
The Minister added that this would have negative security and economic implications for central Europe. “Contrary to certain western European countries, Hungary is supporting the strengthening of cooperation in the European Union’s and NATO’s eastern neighborhood not just in words, but in actions as well,” the Minister said.
Minister Szijjártó highlighted Georgia as a key member of the EU’s Eastern Partnership program, adding that the Hungarian government was helping the country tighten its cooperation with NATO and move closer to becoming a member of the military alliance.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that Hungary has 12 officers serving in the United Nations’ Observer Mission in Georgia, adding that the government intends to maintain Hungary’s role in the mission. He that Hungary will be posting a diplomat to Georgia’s foreign ministry in Tbilisi from September with a view to helping with preparations for Georgia’s EU integration.
Minister Szijjártó also said he had agreed with Georgian officials that Hungarian companies will be involved in Georgia’s ongoing sports, healthcare, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure projects. Hungary has also set up a 214 million USD credit line to improve the competitiveness of Hungarian companies in Georgia.
Photo credit: pestisracok.hu