Coronavirus – Hungarian FM Szijjártó visits Moldova, accompanies shipment of protective kit

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó paid a visit to Chisinau on Tuesday, accompanying a shipment of 100,000 surgical masks and 5,000 protective medical gowns donated to Moldova.

The arrival of Hungarian aid to Moldova was reported by Foreign Minister Oleg Tulea during a joint press conference with Szijjártó broadcast live on the Hungarian minister’s Facebook page.

Moldova asked for help in the fight against the epidemic from the European Union, and, separately from Hungary. Help was requested via two channels: on bilateral basis and under the arrangements of NATO.

Szijjártó noted that

Hungary has received many millions of items of protective gear from China and has also developed its own mask production capacity, so it was in a position to offer some of of the kit to Moldova.

The ministers of the two countries recently signed a strategic partnership agreement, he noted, adding that Hungary “takes strategic partnership and friendship seriously”.

Hungary is a dedicated supporter of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership, he said. It is important that the EU should have allies in the East, and Budapest believes that Eastern Partnership countries should also receive sufficient support from the EU, Szijjártó said. This help is especially needed urgently because, according to information from Moldova, a large part of those infected work in health care, he added.