Hungarian FM Szijjártó talks about ‘pro-war camp’ in Beijing

In light of the serious security challenges in the world and the war in Ukraine, “it would be important to amplify the voice of those that support an early peace,” the foreign minister said in Beijing on Wednesday.

The foreign ministry quoted Szijjártó as saying during talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, that “the current times give a greater significance to bilateral ties than ever before, not only because the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.”

Szijjártó said “the pro-war camp is extremely loud because they are supported by global NGOs and media networks”. “But we must be louder in supporting peace, too,” he said in Beijing.

Szijjártó expressed hope that Hungary could continue to rely on “China’s commitment to ensure that peace returns to the region at last.”

The minister noted that China had been Hungary’s most important investor last year, and said “Chinese companies trust in Hungary will help the country cope with the serious difficulties arising from the war in Ukraine and the sanctions.”

He said an agreement had been reached on the implementation of new Hungarian railway investments in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), paving the way for “a faster and effective modernisation of Hungary’s rail network with external financing”.

An initiative to build a crude oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia will also be undertaken under BRI, allowing it to be finished faster, more efficiently and with more favourable financing conditions, the minister said, adding that the project would greatly contribute to enhancing the region’s energy security.

Cooperation between China and central and eastern Europe is a common interest, he said, noting China’s contribution to a number of infrastructure investments in the region. The “flagship” project is the upgrade of the Budapest-Belgrade railway which is 42 percent complete on the Hungarian side, he added.

The minister said the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) would soon set up a branch in Hungary.

Szijjártó said China had invited Hungary to be a guest of honour at this year’s China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT).

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