Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that putting an end to the war in Ukraine and “the world war frenzy evolving in Europe” as soon as possible “is in the interest of the peoples both in Europe and in Africa."
Minister Szijjártó told a joint press conference held with his Angolan counterpart, Tete António that “preparations for a world war are manifest in the political trends of Europe” adding that the continent, “earlier seen as an island of peace, is now dominated by the hysterics of war”. Minister Szijjártó said that the escalation of the war in Ukraine posed a global risk, adding that “we now need the voice of the peace camp more than ever… So we appreciate the voices of common sense from Africa, and greatly appreciate the African states that clearly, openly, and honestly support the cause of peace,” he said. Noting the challenges Africa had to face in recent decades, the minister said: “It is worth listening when Africa says that each armed conflict … will be resolved at the negotiating table.” “The later we start the talks, the more people will die and the greater the destruction,” he said. “The war can only be resolved through peace talks and a ceasefire,” he added, noting the damage the war had caused to the entire world in terms of higher energy prices, war inflation, and food security. Europe and Africa have a shared interest in putting an end to the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, he insisted. Hungary and Angola see eye to eye on the issue of migration, Szijjártó said. He added that Africa’s population was expected to grow by 750 million in the next 20 years, requiring as many more jobs, education, health services, and drinking water. Unless those conditions are provided “we will see one of the most terrible humanitarian disasters of all times or face the greatest migration pressure ever on the European continent,” he added. The EU should come up with a comprehensive development strategy for Africa to prevent such migration pressures, he said, adding that the upcoming Hungarian presidency would promote that cause. As one of the first steps in the process, the EU and the Southern African Development Community will hold a meeting of their ministers in Angola on June 18, Szijjártó said, adding that the conference will be chaired by him and his Angolan counterpart. At their talks, Szijjártó and the Angolan minister signed an agreement to continue a higher education agreement under which Hungary offers an annual 50 scholarships to Angolan youths to study at Hungarian universities. Answering a question, Szijjártó said the Hungarian government had declined to support the European Union’s punitive tariffs on several Russian and Belarusian agricultural products “to protect the interests of Hungarian businesses”. He said “if the EU imposes prohibitive tariffs on Russia, Russia will respond; and measures taken in reaction could create difficulties for Hungarian companies in Russia, even rendering their situation impossible.” “Why would it be in our interest to support measures that could make it difficult for Hungarian companies?”