Hungarian foreign policy will continue along the track laid by his predecessor, Navracsics said, namely, European integration, regional cooperation in central and eastern Europe and protecting and representing the interests of Hungarian minorities living beyond the border.

He also emphasised the importance of Hungary’s policy of opening towards the East. He said the aim was to reduce the EU’s 88% current share of Hungary’s exports to 66% in the future, with 34% directed to regions outside the EU.

This aims to boost Hungary’s economic presence in Asia and the Pacific, as well as in the post-Soviet states, the Arab region and the Balkans, Navracsics said.

He said there was no reason for Poland to be concerned that an expansion of Hungarian-Russian economic relations was tantamount to a stronger political commitment by Hungary towards Russia.

Hungary will continue to remain a member of the European community, the minister said, adding that maintaining friendly relations with Poland was fundamentally important.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

Follow that link to sign-up for MTI’s twice-daily newsletter.