Hungary wants comprehensive Europe-Africa development strategy, says FM Szijjártó

Hungary is cooperating with Guinea-Bissau to fight against international drug trafficking, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said, adding that the African country’s strict stance was great help for the whole of Europe.

The foreign ministry cited Péter Szijjártó as telling a joint press conference with Guinea-Bissau counterpart Carlos Pinto Pereira that Africa’s significance was continually increasing in the current “era of dangers”, adding that the continent’s population was expected to grow by 950 million in the next 25 years, which prompts a comprehensive development strategy.

“If we fail to develop a large and comprehensive Europe-Africa development strategy, then we’d have to face [one of] two very sad scenarios: we’ll either witness the gravest humanitarian catastrophe of all time, or the harshest migration pressure of all time,” he said. “We would not like to face either, so we urge a large Europe-Africa development cooperation scheme,” he added.

Take action against international drug trafficking

He said that under the arrangements of this scheme, the sides would also act jointly against terrorism, an “unprecedented threat” in Africa, adding that the security of Africa and Europe were closely intertwined. “Taking action against international drug trafficking is also a common interest,” he said. “The size of international drug trading is increasingly alarming, drug traders robbing our children of their health and their future, so resolute and tough action is needed against international drug trafficing, leaving no room for argument or mercy,” he added.

20 Guinea-Bissau students may study in Hungary

He praised the stance of Guinea-Bissau in this matter, adding that the country which is located on an important route for drug traffickers demonstrated an “exemplarily tough” attitude, which is great help to Hungary and the whole of Europe. “If the transport route is cut short there, less of the drugs can make it to Hungary and to Europe, and we will face less human tragedy,” he said.

Regarding bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food industry and water management, Szijjártó said that state-of-the-art Hungarian technology can help in the modernisation of these sectors in Guinea-Bissau. He also said that an agreement had been signed to enable 20 students from Guinea-Bissau to study on scholarship in Hungarian universities annually. Szijjártó added that Hungary and Guinea-Bissau were both in the pro-peace camp, supporting the settlement of the Ukraine war by diplomatic means.

Orbán discussed with the President

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, in his office on Friday, the prime minister’s communications department said.This was the first occasion that the president of Guinea-Bissau made an official visit in Hungary, the statement said. The sides reviewed the current situation in West Africa, and Orbán said that Europe’s security started in Africa, therefore Hungary was making every effort to help the stability and development of the continent.

Read also:

• Hungary opens new diplomatic mission in African country
• New flight may carry passengers from Budapest to exotic African country, home of safaris – read more HERE