22 Oct

Hungary was represented by Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 21 October 2021. The meeting of the Council was preceded by a breakfast discussion with the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla El Mangoush, at the invitation of Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece.


The Council had an in-depth, strategic discussion on the Gulf region. The ministers agreed that the countries in the region are key economic partners of the EU, have a crucial role in the security in the wider Middle-East region, and share common interests with the EU concerning global issues. Minister Szijjártó underlined that the conclusion of the Abraham Accords is an important milestone for the stability of the region.

source: consilium.europa.eu

The ministers had an exchange of view on the Eastern Partnership with a view to preparing the upcoming EU-Eastern Partnership Summit. Minister Szijjártó emphasized the pressing need to diversify energy sources of the EU, referring to Hungary’s long-term gas supply agreement concluded with Russia recently. High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell confirmed that the agreement was fully in line with European Union law, despite Ukrainian claims to the contrary.

The Council had an exchange of views on the situation in Nicaragua and in Ethiopia. In the context of the latter, Minister Szijjártó drew attention to the crucial role Egypt plays in stemming illegal migration flows headed for Europe, including from the Horn of Africa region.

Under current affairs the Council discussed Afghanistan, Libya, Tunisia, Mali, Varosha, COP26 preparations, the Western Balkans region, and Belarus. Minister Szijjártó welcomed the High Representative/Vice President’s plan to include strategic discussions on the geopolitics of climate and energy, and also on the Western Balkans on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council’s next meeting. Hungary’s unconditional support for Poland and Lithuania in their efforts to deal with the illegal migration pressure faced on their borders with Belarus was confirmed.

 

source: consilium.europa.eu