Hungarian foreign minister visits Algeria

Budapest, January 10 (MTI) – Strengthening cooperation with Algeria is crucial both for economic and security reasons, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told MTI by phone from Algiers on Tuesday.

The security situation in North Africa directly impacts the security in Europe, that is why it is in the interests of Hungary to support peace and stability there, Szijjártó said.

Szijjártó insisted that uncertainty in Africa could result in an increased immigration pressure on Europe. He added, however, that Algeria was committed to curbing the migration pressure. The two countries agree that the migrant crisis needs to be tackled at its roots, meaning that people considering migrating to Europe need to be given help near their home countries, he said.

Szijjártó urged more intensive talks between the European Union and Algeria and said Hungary wants to see the next meeting of the EU-Algeria Association Council held in February.

He said the economic restructuring Algeria was undergoing due to a fall in energy carrier prices could present Hungarian companies doing business in that country with good opportunities, particularly in the field of agriculture.