Addressing a session of the UN Security Council, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, urged the international community to focus on breaking the "vicious cycle" of war, growing migration waves, the threat of terrorism and environmental challenges.
In his address in New York on Tuesday, Minister Szijjártó praised the United Arab Emirates for convening the session, its contribution to the “pro-peace majority”, and its support for keeping communication channels open. The foreign minister emphasized that though the war in Ukraine was a regional one, its effects were felt worldwide. He warned that the risk of escalation was growing with each passing day, adding that the longer the conflict went on, the more people would die. Hungary is not only affected by the war because an escalation would reach Ukraine’s neighbouring countries first, but also because Hungarians are among those dying in the conflict, Minister Szijjártó said. The international community should therefore focus on saving lives, he said, adding that the only solution was peace. That is why Hungary appreciates the efforts of those speaking out in favour of peace, he added. He said the “rhetoric of war” was still “louder than the rhetoric of peace” even though the global majority was in favour of peace, adding that it was time for the “global pro-peace majority” to “speak up”.