Azbej discusses joint efforts to mitigate crises in Europe, Africa

Tristan Azbej, the foreign ministry state secretary in charge of aid to persecuted Christian communities, has travelled to Ethiopia to meet representatives of the European Union and the African Union.

Discussions focused on “challenges such as pandemics and other health-related issues … as well as joint humanitarian action,” Azbej said on Facebook on Tuesday, noting that he was representing Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister.

Amid the current consecutive crises, “we must not forget about our African brethren in need”, Azbej told a panel discussion. He referred to Hungary as “an emerging donor country expressing its solidarity through the Hungary Helps programme”, adding that the Hungarian government’s actions were also “within the bounds of common sense and promote Hungary’s interests.”

“We need to handle challenges at their root,” he said, adding that migration may be prevented through aid provided where the problems arose. Efforts in the Sahel and at other parts of Africa “have proven that policies based on solidarity will contribute towards preventing people from leaving their homeland,” he said.

Hungary’s upcoming European Union presidency will also focus on support for people living in crisis zones, and “call attention to the fact that preventing migration is in the interest of all parties,” Azbej said. “Providing aid on the spot and creating food security are key,” he added.

“We urge involving religious organisations in providing humanitarian aid, because in many cases the supply systems of the affected countries cannot be effectively supported without their assistance,” he said. “We will also speak up in the interest of protecting human rights, especially when it comes to ensuring the right to an education,” the state secretary said.

Read also:

• Hungary Helps programme focuses on Nigeria, Nicaragua and Iraq
• Orbán cabinet: change needed in European migration, Africa policies

Source: MTI