Hungary and Bahrain are both members of the global pro-peace majority, which exists despite the ongoing attempts of the European mainstream media to deny it, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó stated on Wednesday in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, during a joint press conference with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani Szijjártó emphasized that the world is currently living in an age of great dangers, with wars raging in both Europe and the Middle East.
‘I come from the European Union, an integration unfortunately dominated by pro-war hysteria. Since Hungary holds a contrasting, staunchly pro-peace position, we particularly value those nations around the world that, like Bahrain, stand up so resolutely and vocally for peace,’ he said. ‘We are also proud that Hungary and Bahrain are jointly and simultaneously members of the global pro-peace majority, which exists despite the constant denial of the European mainstream media,’ the minister added.
Szijjártó then expressed his appreciation for Bahrain’s efforts to stabilize the Middle East and underlined that every person has the right to live in peace and tranquillity in their own homeland.
‘Thus, we will continue to work together to ensure that peace is restored in Ukraine as soon as possible.
We agreed that there is no solution on the battlefield, and we also agreed that only a ceasefire and peace negotiations can bring about a resolution…Arms shipments only further aggravate the situation,’ he emphasized. ‘Similarly, we will continue to jointly combat terrorism and terrorist organizations in the future, and we wish for the necessary conditions for the release of hostages to be established as soon as possible,’ the minister added.
Szijjártó also warned that the increasing danger of war escalation carries the risk of the world once again becoming divided into blocs, while both Hungary and Bahrain believe more in cooperation and connectivity. He explained that this is why Hungary is advocating for the European Union to establish closer cooperation with the Gulf region and for the resumption of free trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, alongside a visa agreement. ‘Therefore, it is an honour for us that, during the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union, a summit between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council will take place, where we sincerely hope that European countries will listen to the pro-peace voices of the Arab nations,’ he said.
The minister also reported the signing of two important agreements during the day. The first will enable ten Bahraini students per year to attend Hungarian universities on government scholarships starting next year. Additionally, an agreement was reached to provide sporting and educational opportunities in Hungary for young Bahraini athletes within the scholarship programme.
The second agreement concerns mutual investment protection, which was especially important to finalize now, given that several Hungarian companies are on the verge of entering the market in the Middle Eastern country, the minister stressed.
Szijjártó welcomed the fact that
Hungary’s Festipay is making a significant software development investment in Bahrain.
As part of this, the company will provide cashless payment services for the local Formula 1 race, which they hope to leverage as a reference for other events. The Hungarian government is supporting this investment with one million euros.
He also described as good news that negotiations concerning the MOL Group’s investment in the region have reached the final stage, allowing the Hungarian company to supply technology for the efficient and environmentally friendly extraction of certain oil fields. In addition, Szijjártó revealed that a further agreement may soon be reached for MOL and its local partners to build a rubber bitumen factory in Bahrain.
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