EU Colleagues Compliment Hungary FM, Here is Why

Speaking after the meeting of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers, FM Peter Szijjarto underlined that the EU's economic policy is currently characterized by failure and a lack of success. At the press conference, Hungary's foreign minister touched on the main topics of the meeting, including sanctions against Russia, the possibilities of cooperation with China and the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to a question from our newspaper, he also explained why he gets compliments from his colleagues during recess between the meetings.

Brüsszel, 2023. november 27. Szijjártó Péter külgazdasági és külügyminiszter és Xiana Méndez Bértolo kereskedelemért felelõs spanyol államtitkár beszélget az Európai Unió Külügyek Tanácsának kereskedelmi formációjú ülése kezdetén a brüsszeli Európa-épületben 2023. november 27-én. Az EU-tagállamok kereskedelmi miniszterei a Kereskedelmi Világszervezet (WTO) 13. miniszteri szintû konferenciáját készítik elõ, amelyet a tervek szerint február 26. és 29. között rendeznek Abu-Dzabiban. MTI/EPA/Olivier Hoslet Fotó: Olivier Hoslet

On the issue of cooperation with China, he confirmed that he did not see it as a risk, but rather something that serves Hungary's interests.  

In connection with the recent Bulgarian scandal, he said the question of where they procure their gas was a sovereign decision for each member state, but they cannot jeopardize the energy supply of other countries. In a previous case, where Italy would have acted in a similar way, the European Court of Justice struck down Rome's efforts.

Regarding the Hungarian hostages, he said Hungary welcomed the ceasefire, because it may have saved lives. He stressed that authorities have been in constant contact with Qatar's minister of state who pledged his unwavering support throughout, for which he thanked the Qatari government. FM Szijarto said he has knowledge of two Hungarian nationals, about whom they have no information at this point. Subsequently, whether of not they have been taken captive remains unknown. 

We asked Hungary's foreign minister whether his favorite topic, sneakers, has ever come up during recess between the meetings.

I do receive occasional compliments! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to show them my sneakers in person, as I think that would be a tad too much.

In his Facebook posts prior to the press briefing, FM Szijjarto foreshadowed the anticipated mood, saying that they were "in for another collision" today, in Brussels. 

Cover photo: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto and Spanish Secretary of State for Trade Xiana Mendez Bertolo hold talks at the beginning of a trade formation meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs of the EU in the Europe building in Brussels, on November 27, 2023 (Photo: MTI/EPA/Olivier Hoslet)