Hungary supports Egyptian government’s efforts against terrorism

Hungary firmly supports the Egyptian government’s efforts against terrorism, László Kövér, Hungary’s parliamentary speaker, said in Cairo during talks with counterpart Ali Abdel Aal on Wednesday, the Hungarian parliament’s press chief said.

Kövér said Egypt plays an indisputable role in stabilisation, handling the wave of migrants from Africa and reducing the pressure on Europe. Hungary is convinced that sustainable solutions based on cooperation are required, serving the interests of the European Union and third countries, to handle the migration crisis, the press chief said in a statement.

Regular dialogue between leaders from the two countries shows that Egypt is an important political and economic partner for Hungary in the Arab world, Kövér said.

A visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Budapest in July represented an important stage for further developing relations and enabled Hungary to host the first V4-Egypt summit meeting as the opening event of Hungary’s V4 presidency, Kövér said.

The aim of the current visit is to further strengthen political ties between the two countries, he added.

Europe is in an identity crisis, with debates about common values and goals, which is partly the cause of a significant part of EU member states making a different approach to the problems of Egypt than Hungary, Kövér said at the meeting. Hungary is determined to support all efforts that aim to stabilise Egypt’s economy, political system and social conditions, with special regard to the security of the region which is crucially important to Europe, he added.

Kövér and Abdel Aal were in agreement that international efforts are needed to resolve regional conflicts, achieve economic and social stabilisation and protect human rights.

Kövér noted the dynamically developing relations between the parliaments of Hungary and Egypt in recent years which were supported by the activities of the Hungarian-Egyptian friendship chapter within the Hungarian parliament. Hungary is ready to expand cooperation between parliamentary committees, especially in foreign affairs and the economy, he added.

Abdel Aal said Egypt relies on Hungary also in its capacity as a member of the Visegrad Group.

Egypt would like the V4 to support Egyptian interests in the EU and help its efforts in the fight against terrorism and the protection of human rights. The stability of neighbouring Libya and the protection of the common border are priorities for Egypt, he said.

On the first day of his visit, Kövér also met Ahmed el-Tayeb, the current Grand Imam of al-Azhar, one of Egypt’s most influential religion leaders. They were in agreement that religion, regardless of whether it is Christian, Islam or Jewish, is an important moral basis for the coexistence of nations and cultures.

Kövér is scheduled to meet President Sisi and Prime Minister Sherif Ismail on Thursday.

Featured image: MTI

Source: MTI