Hungary’s foreign minister on Soros, ties with US, Russia, China – Interview

Budapest, June 2 (MTI) – Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó outlined his position on the actions of Hungarian-born US financier George Soros (György Soros) and addressed Hungary’s ties with the United States, Russia and China in an interview published by daily Magyar Hirlap on Thursday.

Asked to comment on what is said to be efforts by Hungarian-born US financier George Soros to “influence domestic politics”, Szijjártó said it could be clearly perceived that certain decisions made by the Hungarian government since 2010 had not been welcomed by all, and sometimes triggered “rough” critical remarks. However, it should be accepted by everyone that it is the Hungarian people who decide what kind of government should lead the country along what political lines and values. “No one else can have a say in this, regardless of how much money they may have,” the minister said.

Asked if Soros’s foundation will be “banned from Hungary”, Szijjarto said, “Hungary is run by the rule of law. Everybody has but one duty: observing the laws.” If the foundations operating in Hungary observe the laws, they will not get into any trouble, the minister said.

Speaking about relations with the US, Szijjártó praised the excellent economic and security policy cooperation, but added that political cooperation is “burdened by disagreement” on several issues.

Hungary on occasions is exposed to “inexplicable and unacceptable attacks” by the US. For instance, former president Bill Clinton’s recent statement that Hungary owes its freedom solely to the United States was “hurtful”, he said.

As for relations with Russia, the minister said the 4.5 million dollars worth of exports Hungarian businesses had lost due to the EU sanctions on Russia over the past year and a half had seriously hurt the country’s economy. But Brussels must understand that these sanctions have a much bigger impact on the central and eastern European economies than on the western ones, he said.

Szijjártó called China one of Hungary’s key economic partners. The trend of western capital flowing into China has by now reversed, and now it remains to be seen where China would set up a strategic distribution centre. In this field, Hungary has achieved success, he said.

Read the original article in Hungarian.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters