The European strategy has so far copied the US pro-war policy, but now has the opportunity to change this, he writes.Continue reading
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó recently gave an interview to the Swiss weekly Weltwoche. In the video interview published on Wednesday, the politician discussed at length the Hungarian peace mission and the possible reasons for EU leaders’ frustration with it.
One of the reasons for frustration, he said, is that “European politicians are envious of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.” He continued by saying that it has become clear that he is the last and currently the only one in Europe who can reach out to the important players in world politics and global security. “On the other hand, I think European politicians are frustrated because they are afraid. They are afraid that it will become very clear to everyone in Europe that they have not only implemented a bad and unsuccessful strategy when it comes to this war, but a strategy that has done enormous damage to Europe and the European people,” he stressed.
In response to a question about the reaction of EU leaders, Mr. Szijjártó said that “they made it clear that Hungary has no right to represent the European Union in these negotiations.” He stressed, however, that the Prime Minister did not speak on behalf of the EU.
Obviously, we are fully aware that the rotating presidency has nothing to do with the external representation of the European Union,”
he added.
The politician pointed out that the Prime Minister’s peace mission was made in his own capacity, because the European Union is not currently seen as an important player in world politics. However, Viktor Orbán, who is “one of the longest serving prime ministers in Europe, who has very broad credibility in the world, who is respected for his vision and for his courage to speak openly about his vision, was the only one who could try to make it clear that there are also pro-peace voices in Europe.”
In this context, the politician also spoke of the problem that the massive majority of mainstream liberal media in Europe has created an “opinion bubble” that suggests that the Euro-Atlantic position is the world’s leading position. “If you have the courage to look outside this Euro-Atlantic bubble, you will see that the global majority respects the Hungarian position, sympathizes with it and agrees with it,” he said.
On the lessons learned from the peace mission summits, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said that with the Russians occupying more and more territory every day, there is no urgency at all for them to find any solution, because they are winning every day. “Of course, our Western European colleagues will say that this is Russian propaganda. No, this is a fact, and they know it,” Mr. Szijjártó said.
He noted that there are three players: the United States, China and still Europe.
However, at the moment, Europe is lagging behind the United States because Europe is copying the US strategy, and in this respect it is the assistant of the United States and has no voice of its own,”
he added.
“The current US administration is obviously pro-war. If there is a change there, at least two of the three major powers will be in favor of peace, and that will change the picture completely,” the minister said. In his opinion, Donald Trump’s return to power could give a completely new impetus in this respect.
He also recalled that China is in favor of peace, and that initiatives have already been taken. Foreign Minister Vang Ji, together with his Brazilian counterpart, has put a proposal on the table, which the Mr. Szijjártó said would be worth discussing.
The Hungarian politician noted that one of the most important achievements of the peace mission is that the channels of communication are open. “If the communication channels are blocked, we will lose hope for peace. Thus, in order to avoid a continuation of the tragedy of the battlefield, we need an alternative path, which is communication and dialogue.
That is why the Prime Minister has proposed a debate on whether Europe should reopen channels of communication with Russia,”
he added.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher
