FM Szijjarto holds talks in Basel

Budapest (MTI) – Attending a meeting of OSCE ministers in Basel on Thursday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto held talks with Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE official for media freedom and several foreign ministers, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The two officials “agreed on the importance of preserving press freedom and balanced reporting as basic pillars of democracy,” the statement said. They also agreed to hold regular consultations in the future, since “Hungary is committed to freedom of the press”. Both sides equally found constructive dialogue to be important, the statement added.

In another meeting held during the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe meeting, Szijjarto agreed with Romania’s foreign minister, Bogdan Aurescu, that he would pay an official visit to Budapest in February.

The Hungarian foreign minister said Hungary attaches strategic importance to the development of bilateral ties with Romania, with special regard to the Hungarian community there and the fact that Romania is Hungary’s second largest export market. They agreed that cooperation in infrastructure and energy, as well as economic relations, would play major roles in bilateral ties, the statement said.

Szijjarto also met Pavlo Klimkin, Ukraine’s foreign minister, who briefed him about the latest developments in the conflict in his country. Szijjarto reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. They agreed that Hungary would provide support in Ukrainian reforms of state administration and local councils.

The Hungarian minister will pay a visit to Kiev on Dec. 19.

Photo: MTI/Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Aron Kovacs

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