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UAE tourism agency to cover accommodation costs of stranded Hungarians
The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó that the country will use “all available means” to protect Hungarian citizens currently staying there, while the national tourism agency will cover accommodation costs for tourists stranded by the escalating conflict.
Speaking in Budapest on Sunday, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the situation in the Middle East had deteriorated sharply. “Hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, have targeted the United Arab Emirates, where thousands of Hungarians are currently spending their holidays,” he said. A total of 2,271 Hungarians have registered for consular protection.
Thousands of Hungarians in the country
Szijjártó added that he had recently spoken by phone with his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who said their own data shows around 4,200 Hungarian citizens are presently in the UAE. In total, some 600,000 Europeans are believed to be in the country.
“The foreign minister assured me that they will protect all foreigners on their territory with every possible tool, including Hungarian citizens,” Szijjártó said.
Authorities have also decided that the UAE’s tourism agency will pay for the accommodation of tourists unable to leave. Although land crossings towards Oman remain open, officials are urging everyone to stay where they are, describing this as the safest option for now.
Flights grounded across the region
Due to the rapidly escalating hostilities, much of the region’s airspace has been closed. Aircraft are not being granted permission to take off or land.
Major airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, have largely suspended operations in the area. Further updates are expected on Monday morning.
Szijjártó also warned that military activity around the Strait of Hormuz poses serious risks to global energy supplies, creating additional uncertainty.
Government priority: Hungarians’ safety
The minister stressed that the Hungarian government’s top priority is national security.
“For us, the most important thing is to stay out of every war and to protect Hungarians wherever they are in the world,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating that the UAE has formally guaranteed the safety of Hungarians staying in cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, both major airports have been hit by several attacks, meaning civilian air traffic is currently effectively impossible.
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Very kind of the UAE.
One of the best things in life is, in situations that are far less than ideal, some people step up and shine a light from their soul.
Some call the Light Krishna or The Great Spirit, others call it Allah or Adonai, while others still Mary and Christ.
So long as it is that light, it does not matter.