Hungary to contribute to Turkiye’s post-quake reconstruction

Addressing an international donors’ conference in Brussels to support the victims of the Turkiye-Syria earthquake, Szijjarto said Hungary will cover the costs of rebuilding the Syriac Orthodox Church’s St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Adiyaman.

The Hungarian government will also finance the reconstruction of a cultural centre in Osmaniye, which houses a permanent exhibition focused on Hungarian composer Bela Bartok, a ministry statement cited Szijjarto as saying.

In addition, Hungary will contribute to the reconstruction of a hospital chosen by the local authorities, he added.

Meanwhile, Szijjarto said Hungary has earmarked one million US dollars towards programmes launched by Syria’s Christian churches aimed at helping those displaced by the disaster.

He noted that Hungary sent search and rescue teams to Turkiye immediately after the earthquake. The 167 experts and 29 rescue dogs Hungary sent to the disaster zone rescued 35 people, Szijjarto said. Hungary also delivered 120 tonnes of hospital equipment to Turkiye, he added.

Szijjarto expressed hope that Turkiye’s reconstruction efforts would be successful, adding that the country’s chances were good, “knowing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s level of determination”.