Balanced EU policies needed in Middle East peace process, says government official

The European Union must pursue balanced policies regarding conflicts in the Middle East, foreign ministry state secretary Levente Magyar said on Monday.

He called for the next meeting of the EU-Israel association council to take place as soon as possible.

After an EU foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels, Magyar said

participants had reviewed the peace process and presented their views regarding chances for restarting Israeli-Palestinian talks.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini presented a report on last week’s donor conference on the Sahel region, where Hungary offered to raise the number of soldiers serving in an EU military training mission in Mali from six to 21, Magyar noted. The region’s stability is “very important” and reinforcing the army of Mali is important in the fight against illegal migration and terrorism, the ministry said in a statement.

The meeting also reviewed progress of reforms in Moldova. Hungary has always supported close cooperation with countries in the EU’s neighbourhood, Magyar noted.

“The EU should encourage Moldova to continue pursuing reforms and support the country. The EU should keep expectations realistic,” he added.

Photo: MTI/EPA/Ala Badarneh

Source: MTI