According to a recent poll, 77% of Hungarians, even opposition voters, are against the European Union sending migrants to Hungary.Continue reading
Brussels should immediately end its pro-migration policies that are putting both European and North African countries in an extremely difficult situation, Hungary’s Foreign Minister said Wednesday in Budapest after a meeting of the Hungarian-Tunisian Joint Economic Committee.
At a joint press conference with his Tunisian counterpart, Nabil Ammar, Péter Szijjártó stressed that Europe is facing two serious security challenges at the same time: the war in the east and migration flows from the south.
The politician addressed the dramatic increase in food prices and the serious crisis in grain supply in Tunisia and in many other parts of the world. In this context, he warned that the impact of the armed conflict in Ukraine could destabilize already fragile regions and lead to new security challenges.
“It is no wonder that when we look outside this European or transatlantic bubble, we see that the vast majority of countries in the world want peace as soon as possible,” Szijjártó said.
The minister stressed that Hungary is in a special situation due to its geographical location, as it is under double pressure from the war in the east and the immigration flows in the south.
Unfortunately, we have to note that migration is now taking on a new dynamic, as the Brussels decision to impose a mandatory resettlement quota on Europe is practically an invitation to migrants,”
he stressed.
The politician emphasized that this would put not only European countries, but also North African countries located on migration routes, in an extremely difficult situation, as they risk being invaded by migrants “without respect for their sovereignty and their laws.”
Therefore, we call on Brussels, the European Commission, to put an immediate end to this violent, pro-migration policy,”
Szijjártó urged.
He also called for more support for Tunisia to protect its borders, saying that the Hungarian government is ready to provide it in a bilateral framework if necessary.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Hungarian-Tunisian Business Forum, where representatives of 79 companies discussed possible cooperation, the Minister said that the two countries’ trade turnover reached a record high of 260 million euros last year and that the momentum will continue this year with a 22 percent increase. He stressed that there are great opportunities for Hungarian companies in Tunisia, as their products are in demand in agriculture, food, medical equipment, and water management, among others.
Szijjártó also announced that the number of scholarships for Tunisian students at Hungarian universities will be increased from 200 to 250 per year starting from the next academic year, as the interest in the program is so great.
Via UNGARN Heute; Featured image: Facebook/SOS MEDITERRANEE France