The government is waiting for the official proposal from the European Commission (EC) on the reduction of gas consumption, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in an interview with the American Fox News on Thursday morning.
Péter Szijjártó explained: the Hungarian government considers the committee's suggestion that European gas consumption should be reduced by 15 percent a very serious matter.
"I believe that this is too serious an issue to make comments after a statement of this type, so we are waiting to receive a written proposal from the committee, and then we will be able to formulate our position," said the head of the ministry .
Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said that since it is a neighboring state, every minute of the war represents a security risk for Hungary, both physically and economically, as well as in terms of energy supply.
"That's why we, Hungarians, as a neighboring country (...) are particularly interested in peace, peace as soon as possible. We therefore believe that the international community should focus on establishing an immediate ceasefire and on the start of peace negotiations as soon as possible," underlined Péter Szijjártó, adding that peace is the only solution to all the serious challenges facing us in Europe. .
He explained that by the problems he means the very high inflation, the "skyrocketing" energy and raw material prices, but he also considered it possible that another wave of illegal migration could start as a result of the food crisis.
Péter Szijjártó also said that the government of Hungary has carried out the largest humanitarian action in its history to help Ukraine : so far, we have accepted 840,000 refugees, who are cared for, provided for, and even offered jobs to those who stay for the long term. 13,000 to 16,000 refugees arrive every day, he pointed out.
He added that refugee children are also taken care of in Hungary: 900 Hungarian educational institutions participate in this program, and the state has also offered 1,000 scholarships to young Ukrainians who cannot continue or start their university studies in their home country.
Péter Szijjártó drew attention to the fact that Hungary is now under "double pressure", since in addition to "refugees from the east", it must also face "illegal migration from the south", which is constantly increasing.
To the presenter's suggestion as to whether Hungary would agree with Russia keeping the already occupied Ukrainian territories, the minister replied that Hungary respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. "This is a fundamental thing, this should not be questioned," he underlined.
He added that Hungary is doing its best not to drift into the war, the end of which is still in sight.
Source: MTI/Facebook
(Caption image: Facebook screenshot)
