Romania in the Schengen Area ‘Hungary’s National Interest,’ Foreign Minister Szijjártó Says

While Romania did partially join the Schengen Area in March 2024, eliminating border checks for sea and air travel with other nations within the zone, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó of Hungary would like to see the check-free travel extended to land transportation as well. He believes that it would facilitate trade between Hungary and Romania; and would make it easier for ethnic Hungarians living in Romania to visit their motherland.

FM Szijjártó: ‘Without Russian oil we will simply not survive’

‘If Hungary does not receive more oil from Russia, we will simply not survive; we will not be able to supply the country,’ Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó emphasized in an interview with the Russian TV channel RBK. The minister stressed that currently, there is no alternative route capable of supplying Hungary with sufficient oil other than the pipeline that runs through Ukraine.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó at the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 24 June 2024

EU to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Support Ukraine, Excludes Hungary from Decision — Szijjártó: Shameless Disregard of European Rules

The European Union will support arms shipments to Ukraine using a portion of the frozen Russian assets. The foreign ministers of the Member States decided on this issue on Monday, excluding Hungary from the decision-making process. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó described the decision as a ‘shameless disregard of European rules’.

Hungarian FM Szijjártó in Fierce Clash with EU Colleagues over Ukraine

Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting was incredibly tense, with Péter Szijjártó coming under enormous pressure regarding the fourteenth sanctions package and the additional military and financial support to be provided to Ukraine. EU foreign ministers continue to criticize the Hungarian government for its pro-peace stance, which it has consistently maintained since the outbreak of the war.

David Cameron and Péter Szijjártó in their meeting on 8 May 2024 in London.

Szijjártó Meets Cameron in London, Delivers Remarks at Chatham House

The Hungarian Foreign Minister was in London on Wednesday for talks with his UK counterpart, David Cameron, discussing the war in Ukraine, migration, and energy issues. Péter Szijjártó also participated in a panel discussion at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, arguing, among other things, for the need to replace the Brussels leadership.