Hungary, Malta sharply oppose re-emergence of blocs in world

Hungary and Malta both oppose the re-emergence of blocs in the world while both support action taken against illegal migration and efforts to boost European competitiveness, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said after meeting his Maltese counterpart on Monday.

According to a ministry statement, at a joint press conference, Szijjártó congratulated Ian Borg on his appointment as deputy prime minister and thanked him for making Hungary the first stop on his list of official foreign visits.

Szijjártó highlighted the importance of dialogue and regular consultations given the current security situation and economic challenges, noting that they identified common points of agreement. “One such point is that we both oppose developments that tend towards the re-emergence of blocs in the world.”

“We Hungarians oppose such developments, based on our own experience, that Hungary has always had the best chance to develop … when cooperation between East and West is civilised and cultured,” said Szijjártó.

He said Hungary and Malta are among the countries with the most open economies in the world, adding that both seek a world of connectivity in the coming years and free-flowing global trade.

The minister said economic growth depended on calm, stability, and predictability, which was possible only in peacetime.

“War creates a poor environment and stymies the smooth functioning of the economy and hampers growth,” he said.

Szijjártó also said neither Malta nor Hungary had shipped weapons to Ukraine.

He welcomed Malta’s continued support for Hungary’s EU presidency and the consensus between the two countries on important issues such as firm measures taken against illegal migration, improving Europe’s competitiveness, integrating Western Balkan countries into the EU and ensuring an effective Schengen zone.

Szijjártó noted that Malta fulfilled an “important international role” as current chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), “the last regional platform of East-West dialogue”.

Regarding cooperation on tourism, Szijjártó said the number of Hungarian visitors to Malta has increased by 40 percent so far this year compared with 2023, while the number of Maltese tourists has risen by 50 percent.

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