Fight against IS “moral, political” obligation, says Nemeth – Opposition reactions

Budapest, April 8 (MTI) – Contributing to international efforts against the Islamic State terrorist organisation is a “moral and political” obligation for Hungary, Zsolt Nemeth, the head of Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, told a press conference on Wednesday.

“It cannot be said” that Hungary would face a higher risk of terrorism if it joined the international coalition, Nemeth said.

Fighting terrorism and IS in particular is an important goal for the opposition Socialists, lawmaker Attila Mesterhazy said in a statement, but also suggested that the proposed Hungarian contingent of 150 was too large and that Hungary could contribute to the effort in some other way. The Socialist have not yet finalised their position on the subject, he added.

Zsuzsanna Szelenyi of Egyutt, who sits as an independent in parliament, said that Hungary should cooperate with other countries at a time when their “democratic, highly developed, 21st-century world order is attacked”. She added, however, that Hungary’s participation “cannot conceal the government’s turning to the east”.

Radical nationalist Jobbik MP Marton Gyongyosi voiced his party’s concern about a risk of terrorist attacks in Hungary, and said that eliminating that risk was a top priority. He said that the acts of Islamic State should be condemned, but “the means for Hungary to use must be carefully selected”. Gyongyosi said that the government had made a rushed decision on Hungary’s military participation, and suggested humanitarian aid instead.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters