Opinions & Interviews
Szijjarto: No partnership can be built through sanctions
MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – It is impossible to build any partnership through sanctions, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said in an interview to the Belarus 1 TV channel on 7 June, BelTA has learned.
“We see the Eastern Partnership as a very important initiative. But the partnership cannot be built through sanctions,” said Peter Szijjarto. He expressed hope that the EU would seriously consider and finally abandon the sanctions against Belarus.
According to the minister, it is a personal matter of each country and its residents to determine their future. However, some European countries do not think so, they think that they have the right to teach and guide. The history has repeatedly proved that life by someone else's pointer does not end well. “We always ask our friends and EU colleagues not to interfere in our internal affairs. Let us better discuss the ways of effective cooperation, and let Hungarians decide how to live in their country,” he stressed.
Speaking about the results of the talks during Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Minsk, Peter Szijjarto said that the relations between the two countries have been steadily developing. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs have been closely cooperating. Belarus and Hungary have concluded many agreements and implemented them, but, of course, it is very important when the leaders of states meet and sign agreements. “When top officials meet, the whole process goes much faster, clearer and simpler. Of course, there is full understanding and mutual respect between our leaders. One of the main principles of our policy: we treat with respect and expect respect for ourselves,” he said.
As for relations between Budapest and Brussels, Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary has been under constant fire in recent years for several reasons. “Firstly, the international liberal mainstream cannot digest our policy of patriotism. The same is true with Poland, by the way. Hungary and Poland have two very patriotic governments working for national interests. The liberal mainstream is not willing to accept it, but all because our policy is effective,” he said.
Another reason for criticism of Hungary is its migration policy. “This is a major challenge, and we have once again openly gone against the international liberal mainstream: Hungary will not accept illegal migrants. We made it clear that it is only our right to decide. All such attacks against us are carried out in a clear scheme: concerns are expressed and there is a flow of fakes. But how things really are none of the critics want to know. We were accused of dictatorship, seizure of power, but after the package of measures was approved by the parliament, no one said a word,” the minister explained.
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