FM: Hungary wants to see peace and calm in the Western Balkans
The foreign minister made the remarks on Facebook following clashes in Kosovo in which KFOR peacekeepers, including Hungarian soldiers, came under attack.
The foreign minister made the remarks on Facebook following clashes in Kosovo in which KFOR peacekeepers, including Hungarian soldiers, came under attack.
Minister Szijjártó told a joint press conference with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Budapest that relations between the two countries had always been based on mutual respect.
“The Hungarian nation today considers the Serbian nation their brother," the foreign minister said.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary is a staunch supporter of the European integration of the Western Balkans.
The foreign minister said an agreement had been signed with WA President Husain Al-Musallam on the federation relocating its headquarters to Budapest from Lausanne, with the final unanimous decision on the move to be approved by the WA congress.
Both countries see energy security as a priority, and the TurkStream gas pipeline is key for both of them, Minister Szijjártó said.
The changes to the contracts and the European Union’s approval will make it possible for the plant’s new blocks to begin operating by the very beginning of the next decade.
Hungary sees China not as a risk factor or a threat, but as a country with which cooperation is beneficial.
Minister Szijjártó highlighted the geopolitical appreciation of the Eastern Partnership program and urged the earliest enlargement of the EU as well as promoting closer ties with countries in the region.
The foreign minister said that the “pro-war mainstream” had mounted a heavy attack on the Hungarian prime minister over remarks he delivered at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha.
The most important task of the international community would be to prepare for potential future challenges, the foreign minister said, adding that over-politicizing international healthcare should be avoided.
“We believe that this is not our war; we are in no way responsible for its outbreak, but we’re also paying the price for it … we continue to urge an end to the war and the start of peace talks,” the foreign minister said.
Minister Szijjártó said he had talked to Alexander Schallenberg, his Austrian counterpart, who had indicated that Hungary’s expelling people smugglers was problematic for his country.