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Hungary's FM: We want a fair Brexit and future cooperation with the UK

Hungary’s foreign minister has said that ties between the United Kingdom and the European Union need to be maintained at the strategic level even after Brexit

Hungary’s foreign minister has said that ties between the United Kingdom and the European Union need to be maintained at the strategic level even after Brexit.

Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the opinion on maintaining these strategic ties is shared at all levels across the European Union.

Minister Szijjártó made the remarks during an official visit to London where he met with his British counterpart Boris Johnson.

“The Hungarian stand is clear: we want a fair Brexit and the broadest and most inclusive agreement on future cooperation possible,” he added.

Minister Szijjártó was joined in London by ministers from the Visegrad Group countries as well as Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria on opportunities for cooperation with the UK after it leaves the EU.

Minister Szijjarto said it is of vital importance for the EU and therefore Hungary, for a free trade agreement to be reached between the UK and the EU.

He said that if such an agreement is not reached, World Trade Organisation rules will apply to trade between the EU and the UK, and that could mean the appearance of tariffs and tariff-like obstacles.

The minister warned that failure to reach a free trade agreement with the UK, which accounts for one-seventh of the EU’s economic output, would have tragic consequences.

As well as reaching a free trade agreement with the UK, the other issue of key importance for Hungary at Brexit negotiations is the protection of the rights of Hungarian nationals living in the UK, Minister Szijjártó said.