Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Hungary stands by the democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
“We are closely monitoring developments in Niger,” the minister said on Facebook. “What is happening is dangerous and concerning,” he added. “The Sahel region requires special attention because what happens there has a direct impact on the security of Europe, including Hungary, and the region plays a key role in restraining migration,” Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. “It is our vital interest to strengthen the stability of the region, which is why this is one of the priorities of our EU presidency next year,” he said. “Just over a month ago, these issues were also discussed with Niger’s defense minister in Budapest,” Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky added. “The defense cooperation agreement signed at the meeting was intended to provide a framework for this,” the minister said.