Hungary and Malta both oppose the re-emergence of blocs in the world, minister says
Peter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary and Malta both oppose the re-emergence of blocs in the world. Both support action taken against illegal migration and efforts to boost European competitiveness.
After meeting his Maltese counterpart on Monday, Minister Szijjártó congratulated Ian Borg on his appointment as deputy prime minister and thanked him for making Hungary the first stop on his list of official foreign visits.
Minister Szijjártó highlighted the importance of dialogue and regular consultations given the current security situation and economic challenges, noting that they identified common points of agreement. “One such point is that we both oppose developments that tend towards the re-emergence of blocs in the world.”
“We Hungarians oppose such developments, based on our own experience, that Hungary has always had the best chance to develop … when cooperation between East and West is civilised and cultured,” said Minister Szijjártó.
Both Hungary and Malta are among the countries with the most open economies in the world, he said, adding that both sought a world of connectivity in the coming years and free-flowing global trade.
The minister said economic growth depended on calm, stability and predictability, and this was possible only in peacetime.
“War creates a poor environment and stymies the smooth functioning of the economy and hampers growth,” he said.
Minister Szijjártó also said neither Malta nor Hungary had shipped weapons to Ukraine.
He welcomed Malta’s continued support for Hungary’s EU presidency and the consensus between the two countries on important issues such as firm measures taken against illegal migration, improving Europe’s competitiveness, integrating Western Balkan countries into the EU and ensuring an effective Schengen zone.
Minister Szijjártó noted that Malta fulfilled an “important international role” as the current chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), “the last regional platform of East-West dialogue”.
Regarding cooperation on tourism, Minister Szijjártó said the number of Hungarian visitors to Malta increased by 40 percent so far this year compared with 2023, while the number of Maltese tourists has risen by 50 percent.