The minister condemned the terrorist attacks, saying those acts “clearly show that creating and maintaining security for the people must be the focus of European Union policy”.

Terrorist attacks on Europe will continue as long as the EU is unable to stop migration, which creates an opening for terrorist organisations to send their people into Europe, Szijjártó insisted.

“This is why it is important to develop closer cooperation between the secret services in the EU and Arab countries, so that these services can immediately share with each other information about militants planning to return to Europe and prevent the free movement of those who arrive in Europe with the intent of committing terrorist attacks,” he said. The focus of EU-Arab cooperation must be shifted to the fight against terrorism, Szijjártó said.

Instead of continually lecturing the Arab nations, Europeans must understand that security in Europe starts with the stability of Arab countries, he added.

“Terrorist organisations are an enemy to both Europe and the Arab countries, which calls for a historic, strong alliance between those countries,” Szijjártó said.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Burger Zsolt