The Orbán government’s measures taken during the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic, when it was endowed with special powers to fight the spread of the disease, were in line with international law and did not harm human rights or freedoms in any way, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday.
Speaking by phone from Strasbourg, where he met leaders of the Council of Europe (CoE), Szijjártó noted the “unprecedented attacks” on Hungary from international organisations and EU member states during the first wave of the epidemic. “All attacks have been proven to be unfair and based on lies,” he said.
“International organisations should aid protection efforts against the pandemic, or at least refrain from attacking countries working to protect their citizens and economy by taking extraordinary measures,” Szijjártó said.
Hungary expects to be free from such attacks while tackling the second wave of the pandemic, he said.
“Our expectation is clear: international organisations should stick to facts and refrain from launching political attacks,” he said.
He said the Hungarian government was unwilling to bend to the expectations of international organisations or the international press. In the coming weeks and months, Hungary will carry on protecting the lives, health and jobs of the Hungarian people, he said, while making sure the country is functional, regardless of its repercussions in certain international organisations, he said.
Szijjártó said Hungary, which will hold the Presidency of the Council of Europe between May and November next year, will focus on three sensitive issues: the protection of national minorities, Christian communities, and families and children.
In the featured photo illustration: PM Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. Photo by Zoltán Fischer/PM’s Press Office
