Hungarian and Italian governments work together for persecuted Christians
The governments of Hungary and Italy support a Europe of sovereign, strong nation-states, the state secretary in charge of the program to help persecuted Christians said on Tuesday at the end of a two-day visit involving government and church consultations.
Tristan Azbej said he had met Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli and discussed joint activities in Africa, helping persecuted Christians and the approaching European Parliament election.
“We agreed that it was vitally important to strengthen political forces promoting a Europe similar to that supported forcefully and consistently by the Italian and Hungarian governments,” he added.
The meeting gave an opportunity “to compare political views and targets about the role of the European Union, especially in the crisis areas of Africa and the Middle East and in developing countries” he said. Rome and Budapest have “very strong shared positions” in development policy, he added.
He said the governments of Italy and Hungary believe that illegal migration must be stopped instead of managed. He added that an international aid policy was being developed to find the most efficient and humane way of reducing migration, with support being taken to where the problems are.
Azbej presented Hungary’s actions in Africa to the Italian government representatives, including the Hungary Helps program opening a representative office in Chad to carry out humanitarian, development, and peace promotion activities and other actions taken in the Sahel.
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At a meeting with Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta Riccardo Paterno di Montecupo, he expressed thanks on behalf of the Hungarian government for the partnership between the Hungarian government, Christian churches, and organisations of Christian faith, including the Hungarian Maltese Charity, which covers social services, health, education, and international aid. The Hungarian Maltese Charity is a partner of Hungary Helps in Syria and Kenya.
The Grand Chancellor expressed thanks for Hungary Helps’ participation in Lebanon and urged the successful cooperation started in 2019 to continue in the future.
They also discussed humanitarian aid to civilian victims of the war in Ukraine and the Gaza conflict.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, also expressed appreciation of the Hungarian government’s cooperation with Christian churches and organisations of Christian faith around the world.
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