Szijjártó said Europe currently faces five challenges: instability in the east, an unprecedented level of instability in its southern neighbourhood which launched “an enormous migration wave”, the constant threat of terrorism, lack of progress in guaranteeing its energy security and continuing economic challenges.

The minister said Europe has recently lost more ground in the global economy, adding that European Union institutions are blocking further enlargement even if several member states, including Hungary, say that it is the only way to strengthen the community.

Szijjártó said the situation in Ukraine has not improved over the recent months, with armed clashes continuing in the eastern region.

Meanwhile, the EU’s sanctions against Russia have been damaging to Russia, Ukraine and the EU itself, but have not led to the parties’ observing the Minsk Agreement. The minister said the EU’s most hypocritical and most self-defeating policies were the ones pertaining to migration and the threat of terrorism. He said the EU’s proposed solutions to the two issues were “unlawful, unenforceable and unhelpful”.

The minister said it is foolish to debate whether the influx of migrants into Europe raises the threat of terrorism when the European authorities do not know who the migrants are or for what purpose they intend to come to Europe. He said that not all migrants are terrorists, but added that the migration wave had presented terrorist organisations with opportunities to enter the EU.

Szijjártó said the EU’s “hypocritical policies” had rendered it defenceless, adding that Europe must be able to protect its external borders and all member states should have the right to determine whether it wants to accept other communities.

Szijjártó said Hungary has recently had to face undeserved criticism, which he said it has successfully defended itself against and would continue to do so in the future. He said it had become clear that Hungary had offered the right solution to handling the migrant crisis, adding that Europe should follow Hungary’s example.

If Hungary simply accepted the EU’s criticism “we would not be any more liked”, nor would relations with the EU be any better, Szijjártó said.

Hungary’s foreign policy should continue to be aimed at helping the country enforce its interests, as Europe’s challenges are likely to remain in place, he added.

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MTI photo: Bruzák Noémi