Hungarian foreign minister meets with Tunisian counterpart in Budapest

Budapest, November 2 (MTI) – Considering that Tunisia has the most stable political system in its region, it is a basic interest of the European Union and Hungary that Tunisia should preserve its political and economic stability, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday.

The pressure of migration on Europe will dramatically increase if Tunisia’s stability is seriously challenged in the future, Szijjártó said after meeting counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui. As a result, Hungary will always remain a primary supporter of increased cooperation between the EU and Tunisia, he added.

Concerning economic cooperation, Szijjártó highlighted opportunities in water management and farming, and noted an increasing turnover of bilateral trade. He also said that Hungary’s Eximbank had opened a credit line of 67 million dollars to provide loans aimed at promoting economic cooperation.

Hungary supports that the EU should ensure financial support for Tunisia until 2020, and urged that the EU should conclude its free trade agreement with that country as early as possible.

Jhinaoui said the two countries can cooperate in many areas and Tunisia would like to utilise the experiences that Hungary gained in the past 26 years. Bilateral ties call for a new impetus, he said, and added that the prime minister of his country could soon visit Budapest.

Photo: MTI

The Tunisian minister also said that his country was working to prevent terrorist actions and was “as safe as any other country”.

Answering a question, Szijjártó said that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was scheduled to visit London next week for talks with his British counterpart. The minister confirmed Hungary’s interest in the United Kingdom and the European Union concluding a reciprocally beneficial agreement on Brexit. Hungary insists on protecting the rights of Hungarians working in Britain and takes a stand for maintaining as free and flexible investment, trade and economic cooperation as possible, Szijjártó said.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI