Europe has proven to be defenseless in several respects and must be protected at all costs, according to Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“The level of terrorist threats in Europe has never before been so high. The underlying causes must be managed and they must be faced up to sincerely, just as we must also face up to the fact that radicalisation has not been successfully kept outside the borders of Europe," he said.
“The global fight against terrorism must be strengthened," he added, stressing that Hungary is one of the 23 countries that is actually taking part in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organization with soldiers.
Minister Szijjártó said that the 126-person strong contingent of Hungarian soldiers serving in Kurdistan would be increased by a further 150, and their duties would be expanded to include training tasks.
Regarding recent events in Turkey, the minister emphasized that it is in the interests of both Hungary and Europe for the Turkish government to be in full control of the situation.
Hungary also called for the European Union to tighten relations with Iraqi Kurdistan, in addition to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, he added.
The Council document, which acknowledges details that are the basis of Hungary’s policy of opening towards the East and its China-related policies, represents a milestone in relation to Hungary’s foreign policy strategy for China, Mr. Szijjártó highlighted.