Hungary urges a pragmatic business cooperation with eastern partners. A dialogue based on mutual benefits with Russia and associated regional economic communities would be to the advantage of the European Union, too , he said.

Szijjártó said that Hungary continues to observe the EU’s decisions on sanctions against Russia but believes that they failed to promote the implementation of the Minsk agreements and caused damage to Russia, Ukraine and the European Union, including Hungary.

Hungarian companies, for instance, have lost 3 billion dollars since their introduction. Szijjártó expressed hope that the sanctions on Belarus, suspended by the foreign ministers, would be terminated next February. He said that Georgia should be granted full visa liberation early next year in recognition of that country’s reform measures and accomplishments.

The minister highly appreciated Macedonia’s efforts to protect the borders of Europe. He stressed the need to step up financial support for Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and refugee camps in Iraq’s Kurdistan region to allow refugees fleeing from terror to stay close to their homeland.

Szijjártó that Hungary recognises Turkey’s efforts to stem the tide of refugees, and supports that preparations for that country’s EU accession and visa liberation should be accelerated.

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