Hungarian Foreign Minister criticises the EU in London
Decision-makers in Brussels “often react to British proposals reflexively”, and some of their decisions may make cooperation between the European Union and the UK more difficult, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in London on Monday, adding that “in the current difficult situation, good ties are important”.
After talks with James Cleverly, the recently appointed British foreign minister, Szijjártó said Brexit had been “a huge loss” and the damage arising from Brexit should be minimised, but this required “reasonable cooperation based on mutual respect”.
Szijjártó criticised the EU for excluding the UK from the Horizon programme and from digital cooperation.
“Now, when the EU’s economy has suffered a lot of damage in terms of competitiveness … close cooperation with the British could help the EU become stronger and more competitive,” he said.
The Hungarian government will continue to seek resolution of open issues in Brussels, Szijjártó said, adding that “having unresolved conflicts with the EU is in sharp opposition to the interests of the EU and Hungary.”
The officials also discussed the war in Ukraine. Szijjártó said Hungary had an interest in “securing peace as soon as possible”.
Earlier in the day, Szijjártó met leaders of the largest British companies investing in Hungary, adding that the government was working to promote investments to create new jobs and retain the country’s economic growth.
UK companies make up Hungary’s sixth largest investor group, with some 800 companies employing 50,000 people in the country, he added.
Meanwhile, he said the Hungarian and British governments maintained similar positions on nuclear energy and efforts to “eliminate negative discrimination” against it, as well as on combatting illegal migration, which “impacts the two countries equally”.
Szijjártó said Hungary had so far spent 1.6 billion euros on protecting its borders, while the EU had reimbursed a mere 1.2 percent of the grand total. “This clearly shows that Brussels, regrettably, maintains its stance supporting migration,” he added.
First of all, the EU has been quite accommodating. It is the UK that consciously opted for a “hard” Brexit. Even with this choice, there was (and is) insufficient infrastructure (systems, people, etc.) to deal with the implications. The government stance has been that, if a company is so intent on Europe, they should set up shop there (result: massive influx of UK companies in France and the Netherlands).
Mr. Szijjártó may also want to consider Northern Ireland’s success – as they are the ordained exception in the mess that is Brexit: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/gei/goodsexportsandimportsdecember2021/
Lastly, how does illegal migration, “impacts the two countries equally”? The UK is a destination for refugees, anyone coming across the Hungarian border moves on to the rest of the EU ASAP. We don’t even attract Albanians!
Concur – with Norbert.
To my amazement, we again witness Peter Szijjarto Foreign Minister of Hungary “in pastures” that he is not sufficiently experienced nor capable of adding a constructive tone of opinion or knowledge.
The United Kingdom, post voting themselves to leave the Family of European Countries have been a Shambolic mess.
This “mess” that has muchly centered on a Conservative Government, that has been in a continuous IMPLODING position.
The economy of the United Kingdom has in fact SHRUNK post there vote to leave the European Union.
It is an accepted fact, the destabilization “broad sheet” across the mass componentry that makes the United Kingdom function – its CORE componentry, from Government, Financial Markets and the population, that continue to ALL trend in a direction that clearly indicate, that the United Kingdom is in HUMONGOUS challenging times.
In the years post the United Kingdom, voting themselves WRONGFULLY to leave the European Union, the Government, changes of leaderships, changes of Prime Ministers, continual scandals, the arrival of the Noval on-going Virus – the Russian War on the Ukraine, the DISASTEROUS – short stay – shortest in the history of appointments of a British Prime Minister – Truss “mini-budget” – the United Kingdom have been a RABLE.
The United Kingdom – deep inside “rooted” in their population of nearing 69 million human beings REMAINS – a Massive phycological negative a “Hang Over” effect, an impairment to them – that BLOCKS them at this point in time like a paralysis -“moving forward” – through their DECISION to vote themselves out of the European Union.
Recession is on their doorsteps.
Chancellor of the Exchequer has put them “on notice” to expect up to 5 years of “pain & misery” expecting no real growth nor development – Economic nor Financial within the United Kingdom.
Property foreclosures highest in the United Kingdom for 10 plus years.
The United Kingdom remains being Governed by an IMPLODING Government, that still has near 12 months in office before the 2023 General Elections.
Go to the PEOPLE I say.
YOU have sat to long in this PLACE to Do Good.
The present Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, that has not been embraced and will NEVER win total respectability of the people in the United Kingdom, a former “indifferent” performer, in his time the shrinking was occurring of Britains economy post leaving the European Union, – Chancellor of the Exchequer – in the Boris Johnson parliamentary team, for the good of the United Kingdom, his Party – should go to an early General Election.
The period of months to the next General Elections in the United Kingdom, looking at the UK state of affairs, that could be written, their cataclysmic mess, Europe, the Russian War and the GLOBAL – Economic & Financial picture, a picture of moving changing INSTABILITY and Uncertainty.
The PEOPLE of the United Kingdom 69 million – should – through DEMOCRACY – be given invited through a General Election process, to choose the Political Party they wish to Govern them, under the Leader of that Party, who takes the position of there Prime Minister.
History never Lies.
Sir Winston. Spencer. Churchill – quote of WISDOM – that the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom – should “take in.” – and instigate IMMEDIATE actioning:
Churchill wrote:
“The farther backward you look,
the farther forward you can see.”