Cooperation with Cyprus increasingly important, says Hungarian foreign minister in Nicosia

Cooperation between Hungary and Cyprus is increasingly important because as the disputes about the future of the European Union intensify, cooperation between countries that insist on their national identity, historical traditions and Christian culture will gain in significance, Hungary’s foreign minister said on Thursday.

After talks with counterpart Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia on Wednesday, Péter Szijjártó said

Hungary and Cyprus both belonged to this group and represented identical positions on most issues concerning the EU’s future.

They believe that Europe and the European Union could only be strong if they are composed of strong countries and strong member states.

They agreed that the protection of minority rights in Europe is of utmost importance and a matter of international law, which should be respected by all, he said.

Cyprus can play an important role in energy security for central Europe because significant gas reserves have been found around the island, he said. Szijjarto agreed with his counterpart that the two countries would sign an agreement on energy cooperation.

“We plan to work together in order to get Cyprus exploit its gas reserves and transport some of its gas to central Europe, possibly over a pipeline, considering that liquid gas capacities in the region are still very modest,” he added.

Szijjarto announced that Hungary would open a consular office in Nicosia this year. Hungary’s interests in Cyprus have so far been represented by its diplomatic missions in Athens.

The ministers also agreed to tighten cooperation in various forums of the United Nations. Hungary will support Cyprus’s candidacy for the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Cyprus will support Hungary’s candidacy for the Administrative Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

HUNGARIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN CYPRUS

Although there is a well-known fact that Cyprus consists of a Greek and Turkish part, few would think that there is an active international peacekeeping mission in one of the most popular tourist-paradise of Europe. Today, the sight of soldiers in blue helmets and the borderline between the two parts of the country is rather a kind of tourist attraction in the capital city of Nicosia. However, their work is very important even nowadays, read more HERE.

Source: MTI