According to the Hungarian position, the European Union and its Member States must take a strategic approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, Azbej Tristan, State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told MTI in Brussels on Tuesday.
The Secretary of State, who arrived in the Belgian capital to attend a meeting of EU development ministers, recalled that the European Union has allocated more than €80 billion in financial aid to Ukraine. "We think it is time to look at the effectiveness of this aid and how it leads to the most important goal for Hungary, which is a speedy ceasefire and peace," he said.
Tristan Azbej said that Hungary had launched the most significant humanitarian and reconstruction operation and program in its history concerning the war in Ukraine. However, European policies and measures in this area did not bring the expected results.
At the Council meeting, he stressed the importance of humanitarian aid, crisis resolution, and peace in the context of the Gaza conflict.
"People suffering on all sides deserve humanitarian aid. In the spirit of this, Hungary demands the immediate release of the hostages kidnapped from Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas, including Hungarian citizens," he emphasized.
The State Secretary said that Hungary, in cooperation with Egypt, is providing support to help civilians fleeing Gaza. However, he added that the priority must be to ensure peace.
"Every possible means must be used to prevent the conflict from escalating into a war among states. And the basic condition for peace is what must be said in the name of truth: Israel was attacked by terrorists. Hamas is a terrorist organisation, so Israel has the right to defend itself and to wage its war against terrorism," he said.
In his statement, the State Secretary also said that Hungary attaches high priority to the Sahel region. "Hungary realised that what happens there not only determines the future of the African continent but also affects the future of Europe. This African region faces the challenges of climate change, slow economic development, food and water shortages, and political instability. Extremist ideas and organisations are gaining ground, and so is the persecution of Christians," he said.
He pointed out that the situation in the Sahel could lead to a lasting humanitarian disaster on the continent, which the Hungarian government wants to prevent in a spirit of Christian solidarity to save human lives and avoid a massive wave of migration.
At the council meeting, Tristan Azbej also spoke about how Hungary successfully cooperates with the communities in the region, including Christian charity organisations, within the framework of the Hungary Helps Program, thereby achieving its humanitarian and migration prevention goals.
He announced that Hungary Helps will soon open a regional office in Chad, one of the last stable countries in the region.
"This office will coordinate and implement complex humanitarian projects and care for displaced people. It will also help alleviate water and food shortages through agricultural development activities based on Hungarian expertise," he said.
He also announced that Hungary will send a military mission to Chad, where 200 Hungarian soldiers will serve next year.
"This mission aims to make the humanitarian and development activities of the Hungary Helps Agency safer, to contribute to the stability of the country, and to prevent migration from the zone," said Tristan Azbej.
Source: MTI - Hungarian News Agency
