Hungarian FM Szijjártó proposes regular crossings at Záhony

The Hungarian foreign minister has proposed that locals resident on either side of the Hungary-Ukranine border should be allowed to make regular crossings at the Záhony station, which currently only handles freight traffic.

Péter Szijjártó noted on Facebook that he talked by phone with Dmytro Kuleba, his Ukrainian counterpart, on Tuesday.

They both pledged mutual support during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Szijjártó briefed Kuleba on Hungary’s decision to extend the 50 million euro tied aid loan framework for road construction projects in Transcarpathia by two years.

• Hungary to block NATO-Ukraine meetings until minority rights deal reached

He also briefed Kuleba about the Hungarian government’s supply of 100,000 face masks, 30,000 pairs of gloves and other protective gear to doctors and nurses in Transcarpathia in collaboration with Hungary’s Ecumenical Charity.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó told an online press conference that Uzbekistan is sending 500,000 face masks to Hungary. The cargo plane is expected to land on Tuesday evening.

Szijjártó held a video call with Uzbek counterpart Sardor Uktamovich Umurzakov.

“It’s great to have friendly nations we can count on in these difficult times,” Szijjártó said, adding that all countries providing help to Hungary “are to the east of Hungary” and all, except China, are members of the Turkic Council, where Hungary has enjoyed observer status since 2018.

Source: MTI