Foreign minister: Hungary helping Georgia deepen ties with EU, NATO

Hungary is providing help at multiple levels to Georgia in deepening its ties with the European Union and NATO, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday.

Failure to bring stability, peace and progress to the EU’s eastern neighbourhood will also affect central Europe, and therefore Hungary, Szijjártó told MTI by phone from Batumi after attending an international conference. This, he added, would have negative security and economic implications for central Europe.

“Contrary to certain western European countries, Hungary is supporting the strengthening of cooperation in the European Union’s and NATO’s eastern neighbourhood not just in words, but in actions as well,” the minister said.

Szijjártó highlighted Georgia as a key member of the EU’s Eastern Partnership programme, adding that the Hungarian government was helping the country tighten its cooperation with NATO and move closer to becoming a member of the military alliance.

Meanwhile, he noted that Hungary has 12 officers serving in the United Nations’ Observer Mission in Georgia, adding that the government intends to maintain Hungary’s role in the mission.