Hungarian foreign minister: NATO should step up efforts to overcome migrant crisis

Brussels, December 6 (MTI) – The pressure of migration continues to represent a security risk for the European Union and Europe as a whole, so Hungary proposes that NATO, in its capacity as a military alliance, should participate in overcoming the migrant crisis, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday.

Hungary will propose significant NATO involvement in two areas, Szijjártó told the press ahead a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.

NATO should directly participate in training Iraqi security forces in order to enable them to maintain peace after Mosul is retaken and the international forces leave, he said. Additionally, NATO’s naval forces should boost efforts to stop the migrant wave on the Aegean and the Mediterranean seas, the minister said.

Hungary agrees with US President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to give an increased role to NATO in the fight against terrorism. Some member states have expressed an opposing view, but Hungary will maintain its proposal, Szijjártó said.

Strengthening NATO’s “European leg” is more important than ever before. Europe cannot expect America to protect it every time there’s need for protection. Hungary supports all proposals to coordinate NATO and EU strategies in order to prevent parallel efforts, he added.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI