FM Szijjártó told the United Nations General Assembly that both the global economy and international politics are entering a new era, with humanity simultaneously living in an age of mounting dangers and an unprecedented technological revolution.
He warned that the threat of a third world war has become tangible, even as humanity stands on the threshold of the most advanced economic model imaginable. This, he said, presents the world with a historic dilemma: whether to choose peaceful global cooperation based on connectivity and sustainable growth, or to fall victim to war fanaticism, leading to a divided, bloc-based world that slides into conflict and eventual self-destruction.
FM Szijjártó recalled that Hungary has lived in the immediate neighbourhood of the war in Ukraine for four years, and that the Hungarian government has faced continuous political attacks throughout this period because of its consistently pro-peace position.
At the same time, he said, hundreds of billions of euros are being spent senselessly on prolonging a war and sustaining a corrupt state system, instead of being invested in peaceful economic development and in harnessing the latest achievements of the global economy, including artificial intelligence, digitalisation and the information society.
The foreign minister expressed appreciation for all those who stand up for peaceful cooperation and peaceful economic development. In this context, FM Szijjártó said Hungary holds the greatest respect for every effort by the President of the United States aimed at achieving peace worldwide, thereby laying the foundations for global economic development, and stressed that Hungary fully supports these efforts.
He also welcomed high-level talks between the United States and Russia, describing them as the only viable path toward ending the war in Ukraine. FM Szijjártó noted that many actors are attempting to undermine such initiatives, adding that numerous attempts have already been made to weaken peace efforts, but expressing hope that those responsible will refrain from doing so in the future.
Emphasising Hungary’s historical experience, FM Szijjártó said Hungarians want peace and peaceful development. He recalled that Hungary lost four decades in the previous century by being stuck on the wrong side of a divided world, and therefore understands all too well how war fanaticism can destroy the opportunities created by global economic progress, modern technology, digitalisation, the information society and artificial intelligence.
Hungary, he said, does not want to lose any more decades, or even a single year, in the 21st century. FM Szijjártó concluded by stating that Hungary can always be relied upon when it comes to peace, peaceful development and building the most advanced possible economy for the benefit of people around the world.