Szijjarto noted the "good atmosphere" during his first official meeting with Lammy, which he said was "further proof of mutual respect" between the two countries, even though they viewed certain geopolitical issues differently. This was no barrier to both sides attaching "strategic importance" to bilateral ties, a ministry statement quoted him as saying.

Brexit, he said, was regrettable as "much common sense exited Brussels" as a result and the balance between federalists and sovereignists had been "disrupted".

It was in Hungary's interest, he said, for relations between the EU and the UK to be as close as possible to "the benefit of all sides".

Szijjarto noted the importance of nuclear energy in Hungary and the UK, adding that they had supported each other's nuclear developments in recent years.

Referring to the breakthrough of small modular reactors, he said the power plants could be built on an area the size of a football field in 1-3 years, sufficient to power a small settlement or a larger factory "in an efficient and environmentally friendly way".

Hungary would be interested in tapping this technology, he said, noting that Hungary is landlocked and "hardly abundant in energy resources".

"So nuclear energy is the real solution for us," he added, noting that Rolls-Royce was among the leading companies in the sector.

The minister said Hungary was ready to take part both in developing and using the nuclear technology.

Meanwhile, on the subject of illegal migration, Szijjarto said Hungary and the UK saw it as a threat that must be curbed, especially when it came to human smuggling. He called for a crackdown on human smuggling and its eradication.

Anyone who supported illegal migration in fact backed the business model of human smuggling gangs who demanded thousands of dollars, while migrants put their own lives at risk, he added.

Also, Hungary and the UK are reinforcing defence industry cooperation and the global fight against terrorism, he said.

"Africa is especially vulnerable," he said, noting an increase in severe terrorist attacks on the continent.

"Africa's security equals European security," he said, arguing that helping African countries to establish their security meant there would be fewer mass migration waves in Europe's direction.

Szijjarto hailed bilateral economic cooperation, noting new records broken in trade turnover and investments from British companies that "employ tens of thousands of people" in Hungary.

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

*********************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 
Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here.