Minister: leaders who backed EU sanctions should resign
The Hungarian government, with a fourth election win under its belt, is Europe’s most stable, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, told a forum in Budapest on Thursday, adding that the Fidesz government represented the nation’s interests fully.
Szijjártó emphasised the importance of the outcome of the spring general election in terms of determining Hungary’s reaction to current events. Whereas in times of peace a country’s future and political direction is determined in an election, much more was at stake in the April election as voters not only opted for an economic and social vision but they also decided whether the next few years could be spent in peace, the minister said. So the past few months have underlined just how important Fidesz’s win was, he added.
The ruling party made clear in its election campaign that the primary aim was to stay out of the war, he said, noting that at the same time Hungary is providing “serious humanitarian aid” to Ukraine. Szijjártó said the EU had reacted to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in the “worst possible way” by introducing sanctions. The war is still raging while Europe’s economy is moving towards a recession, he said, adding that prices were skyrocketing while Russia’s economy had withstood sanctions.
Read alsoHungary’s economy in shambles: recession, persistent inflation, empty shelves
He accused the EU of pursuing new sanctions only to “somehow excuse” its own poor decision-making that was causing such damage. Admitting that sanctions were “a dead end” would tar those responsible for introducing them in the first place, he added. Yet leaders who backed sanctions should take responsibility for bringing the European economy to the brink of recession by resigning, he said.
Hungarian energy supplies, Szijjarto said, would not be put at risk, and Hungarian interests must be protected when negotiating any sanctions package, adding that tough talks lay ahead, and the outcome of the National Consultation public survey was important in terms of bolstering the government’s negotiating position.
Read alsoPM Orbán warns: we’re slipping into this war
Source: MTI
Mr. Lavrov would be proud of Mr. Szijjártó – you could not point to someone more deserving of the Russian Order of Friendship, he is definitely doing and saying all of the right things.
Most (if not all) Western companies have pulled out of Russia. Please imagine how that would impact any “modern” society – a night out, shopping for clothes, quick run to Ikea, taking your car to the garage for service, getting a new TV….
Also, lots of young, talented Russians have left Russia for greener pastures (male – draft may have had an impact – as well as female), and they’re unlikely to return without big change in their country.
No impact? Seriously? The usual Land of Fairytales stuff!
Peter Szijjarto – what a LOYAL and Trusted Comrade he is.
Is he late for his optometrist appointment, as he appears badly not seeing nor reading – what is factually going on in the REAL World.
Norbert – correctly points out the Western Companies that have “pulled out” on MASS – rightfully in Russia.
Hungary we are rapidly slipping back into society trends of pre-1989 – forced into this APPALLING worsening position by the Government Peter Szijjarto represents us as our Foreign Minister.
Expand on factual examples that Norbert in his comminatory raises, the removal or inability to – from a personal plan or reactionary position, just go out to shop buy and spend, within your means- items of everyday life that come back to NEEDS – the essentials of 21st century family lifestyle.
Hungary – the rapidness or decline could be said eradication and removal of this 21st century society life process – we in Hungary have seen and continue to witness it being STRIPPED taken away from us.
The supermarket – “fill rates” of food – is it not under DURESS in food types & supply – not eggs but “other” family needs of FOOD?
WHAT a winter we are in for.
WHAT a future as a country we are in for.
The movement out of Hungary the young in particular, that in all probability will not return, like has and continues in Russia – reverting back to FUTURE – what Peter Szijjarto – with CANDOUR please your answer, what is the FUTURE of Hungary?