Szijjarto: Hungary will not participate in oil and gas sanctions

(Patria) - Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto spoke at a public forum on relations between Eastern countries and the West, stating that it is necessary to recognize certain processes in the world.

Szijjarto emphasized that it is necessary to recognize the importance China has for the European Union.

"We have never discriminated against companies on a geographical or party basis. We have supported all those who could contribute to the development of the Hungarian economy. It must be acknowledged that this global crisis has further confirmed that the winds of major trade transformations are blowing in the world economy and that they are coming from the East," Szijjarto believes.

He then touched upon the problems between the West and Russia, and once again reiterated that Hungary will not participate in oil and gas sanctions.

"Hungary is not even prepared to discuss further sanctions in the energy sector, neither for gas nor for oil. I consider this a factor of political stability and courage, which unfortunately is not given to other countries," he points out.

At the end of his speech, the Hungarian chief diplomat addressed the actions of Brussels and Washington, stating that the world does not consist only of America and Europe, and that one should always look at the bigger picture.

"The world does not consist only of America and Europe. The atmosphere in the world outside of America and Europe is completely different from what is written in Europe. In most countries, the narratives expressed in Europe have completely failed. Hungarian foreign policy, and policy in general in the world, enjoys very serious respect in most of these countries," Szijjarto points out.

In conclusion, he emphasized that Hungary does not shape its policy as Washington wishes.

"We Hungarians base our foreign policy on mutual respect. Many will ask what the world outside North America and Europe is like? What is it? It is worth going and seeing. And another important thing. It is necessary to respect their thoughts. We build foreign policy so as not to tell other countries what to do, not to teach others, and not to talk about other countries the way the American ambassador talks about us. We conduct foreign policy to build beneficial relations for our country, and this is respected in a large part of the world," Szijjarto concluded.