Szijjarto: EU must take leading role in Africa

Brussels (MTI) – European Union foreign ministers agreed at a meeting on Monday that the bloc’s political and economic cooperation with Africa is of strategic importance, Hungary’s foreign minister said.

The Hungarian government’s policy of opening towards the south is proven right by the EU’s decision to take a leading role in Africa, Peter Szijjarto told reporters after the meeting.

Szijjarto said Hungary’s Eximbank would contribute 3 million euros to the 800 million euro EU-Africa fund, set up by the European Commission and nine member states in 2007, in order to create better positions for Hungarian investors and suppliers.

He said Hungary expects more “ambitious” results at the next Eastern Partnership summit in Riga. For instance, following Moldova’s good example, steps can be taken to advance visa liberalisation in Georgia and Ukraine.

On the subject of sanctions against Russia, the minister said Hungary would adhere to EU decisions agreed upon earlier. Sanctions should only be modified, either negatively or positively, if there is a major change in the current situation; for instance, if the Minsk agreement is fully observed by the end of the year.

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