Szijjarto: Hungary, Bahrain both part of ‘global pro-peace majority’
The world has entered “an era of dangers”, Szijjarto told a joint press conference with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, according to a ministry statement, noting the ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East.
“And I come from the European Union, an integration gripped by pro-war hysteria,” the minister said. “And since Hungary, by contrast, has taken a pro-peace position, we especially appreciate the countries in other parts of the world which take such a firm and loud stand for peace the way Bahrain does.”
“We are also proud that Hungary and Bahrain are both part of the global pro-peace majority, which does in fact exist despite the fact that European mainstream media constantly tries to deny it,” he added.
Szijjarto expressed his appreciation for Bahrain’s efforts to strengthen the stability of the Middle East, underlining that everyone had a right to live in peace in their homeland.
“And we will continue to take a joint stand for urgent peace in Ukraine,” he said. “We were in agreement that there’s no solution on the battlefield and that only a ceasefire and peace talks can lead to a solution… Weapons deliveries only aggravate the situation.”
“And we will also continue to take joint action against terrorism and terrorist organisations, and we’d like it if the conditions for the release of the hostages were established as soon as possible,” he added.
Szijjarto warned that the growing threat of escalation carried the risk of a re-emergence of geopolitical blocs, saying that Hungary and Bahrain both believed in cooperation and connectivity.
He said Hungary urged the European Union to develop the closest possible cooperation with the Gulf countries, resume free trade talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council and reach a visa agreement.
“This is why it’s an honour for us that the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit will be held during Hungary’s EU presidency, during which, we sincerely hope, the European countries will hear the pro-peace voice of the Arab countries,” he said.
Meanwhile, Szijjarto said Hungary and Bahrain signed two key agreements on Wednesday.
Under one of the agreements, Hungary will from next year offer university scholarships to ten Bahraini students each year. The scholarship programme will guarantee young Bahraini athletes the opportunity to do sports and study in Hungary, he said.
The other agreement concerns the reciprocal protection of investments, the minister said, adding that this was important because of the Hungarian businesses that are about to enter the Bahrain market.
He welcomed that Hungary’s Festipay is investing in software development in Bahrain, as part of which it will supply a cashless payment solution at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, “and then hopefully other events as well”. The Hungarian government is supporting the investment with a one million euro grant, he added.
Szijjarto also welcomed that talks on oil and gas company MOL’s investments in Bahrain were “in the home stretch”, and as such the company is set to supply eco-friendly oil extraction technology to the Gulf country.
He said an agreement could soon be reached on the construction of a rubber bitumen plant in the country by MOL and its local peer.
