FM Szijjártó said in response to a journalist’s question that democracy and the rule of law are in crisis and under threat in Poland, a situation he said is also demonstrated by what he described as the effective takeover of Poland’s public television.
“Many people are being subjected to political persecution, and here in Hungary, when someone applies for asylum on the grounds of political persecution, we consider such requests carefully and assess them in line with Hungarian and European Union regulations,” the foreign minister said.
FM Szijjártó confirmed that Hungary has indeed received such applications from Poland, adding that several of them have been approved.
“We have granted asylum or refugee status to several individuals who are suffering political persecution in Poland,” FM Szijjártó said, noting that he would not disclose names in order to protect those concerned.
The foreign minister also addressed the issue of Ukraine’s financing, saying that the Ukrainian government has requested 800 billion US dollars for the country’s operation over the next ten years.
“The President of the United States has spoken clearly. Since his election, America has come first for him. American taxpayers’ money will not be given away for free, so it is obvious that Brussels, based on its pro-war policy so far, wants to hand over this 800 billion dollars to Ukraine,” FM Szijjártó said.
“One thing is certain: they cannot count on Hungarian taxpayers’ money. As long as we are in government, Hungarian people’s money will not be sent to Ukraine,” the foreign minister stressed.
FM Szijjártó said Hungary has been urged to abolish the 13th and 14th month pensions, eliminate family support schemes, raise taxes and end utility price caps, arguing that these demands are aimed at freeing up funds to be sent to Ukraine.
“As long as we govern, this will not happen. It is obvious that this is why they want to install their own agents in our place and put a government in Budapest that serves the will of Brussels without criticism,” he added.
Turning to migration, FM Szijjártó said the Tisza Party clearly supports migration, pointing out that its representatives have voted in favor of several proposals in the European Parliament that aim to accelerate migration.
“Migration must be fought every single day. Thanks to the border fence, the number of illegal migrants in Hungary is currently zero. And as far as we are concerned, this will remain the case,” FM Szijjártó said.
He stressed that resisting migration is a daily struggle involving political, economic, legal and physical pressure, warning that if a Brussels-backed puppet government were installed in Budapest, Hungary would be flooded with illegal migrants.
FM Szijjártó also addressed the planned free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries, calling it another “attack” against Hungarian and European farmers.
“The European Commission shows complete disregard for how European farmers make a living. This is a scandal and unacceptable,” the foreign minister said, adding that Hungary voted against the agreement together with France, Poland and several other countries.
“We expect the European Commission to finally listen to the voices of European people and European farmers,” FM Szijjártó concluded.