Hungarian Foreign Minister: ‘terrorism constant threat’ in war’s shadow

According to Péter Szijjártó, the threat of terrorism, made worse by “waves of illegal migration”, is constant in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, and must not be forgotten, the foreign minister said in New York.

Terrorist organisations can infiltrate countries around the world on the back of the mass influx of migrants, it is vital that the international community takes decisive action, the ministry said in a statement quoting Szijjártó, who held bilateral meetings as part of this year’s UN General Assembly.

“Increased migration pressure”

Meeting Vladimir Voronkov, the Deputy Secretary-General for coordinating the UN’s anti-terrorist activities, Szijjártó said they agreed on expanding the regional office of the UN counter-terrorism office in Budapest.

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He noted that Europe has come under increased migration pressure, and he accused the European Union of “continuing to encourage people to leave their homes and migrate to Europe”. The minister said people “should not be persuaded to leave” but should receive support for remaining in their homelands.

Christians are the most persecuted religious community?

Meanwhile, Szijjártó said Christians were the “most persecuted religious community” in the world and often the “main victims of terrorism”. Hungary will continue to provide every possible support to persecuted Christian communities, he said, referring to his meeting with Cardinal Parolin, the State Secretary of the Holy See.

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Szijjártó’s other appearances in New York

Szijjártó has also met the foreign ministers of Egypt, Morocco, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Uzbekistan, among others, the statement said. The minister promised to lobby the EU so that Egypt and Morocco finally receive the necessary support for effectively curbing illegal migration. He said Uzbekistan was key to the stability of Central Asia, and he signed an economic agreement with Sierra Leone.

“It is clear that when it comes to the key challenges facing not only Ukraine but the world, everyone is following the Hungarian position,” he said. “From Asia through Latin America to Africa, many of my counterparts have given positive feedback on the practical, common-sense, patriotic foreign policy that Hungary has pursued in recent years…” he said.