Parlt group to support Israeli-Arab settlement meets

A “society of friends” within the Hungarian parliament set up to support a settlement of ties between Israel and Arab countries held its first meeting on Monday, parliament’s press service said.

The society established late last year is headed by Zsolt Németh, the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, with Fidesz MP Pal Barna Zsigmond and Socialist MP Zita Gurmai as members.

The society monitors implementation of the Abraham Accords, signed by Israel and Arab countries with the aim of normalising their relations, and establishes contact with similar societies in other countries, the statement said.

At its first meeting, the society welcomed the signing of the accords and said they offered “a new approach and an opportunity to further strengthen peace and security in the region”. Expanding cooperation between Israel and the Arab countries could greatly contribute to increasing long-term stability in the region, they added.

Hungary is committed to promoting that trend and is ready to ensure support to the parties, even in the form of tri-lateral cooperation, the statement said.