Hungary and the Vatican will continue to consistently stand for peace in the coming period, and will support peace efforts by all means, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó of Hungary stated in Budapest, Hungary on Friday, 28 March.
According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, Minister Szijjárrtó said at a joint press conference with his Vatican counterpart Paul Richard Gallagher that the war in Ukraine is one of the most serious global and European threats at present, and that Hungary and the Vatican have consistently stood for peace from the outbreak of the war. He then expressed his appreciation for the role the Holy See has taken in engaging with the belligerent parties and in pushing for peace negotiations.
‘We agree with Archbishop Gallagher’s earlier assessment that peace requires more courage than war, and that we need to choose dialogue over violence and honesty over hypocrisy,’ the minister stated. Minister Szijjártó also expressed hope that Brussels will not get in the way of peacemaking. He then highlighted the recent achievements in the peace negotiations process, the maritime and energy infrastructure ceasefire announced this Tuesday.
‘We agree with Archbishop Gallagher’s earlier assessment that peace requires more courage than war’
‘It is particularly good news for Hungary that the Russia–US agreement on the prohibition of attacks on energy infrastructure also includes a ban on attacks on energy infrastructure leading to Hungary,’ he noted.
Minister Szijjártó also touched on the tasks of defending Christianity, and pointed to the recent upsurge in attacks on Christian communities. ‘Last year, 380 million Christians lived in places where they faced persecution and there were 4,476 documented cases of Christians being killed for their faith around the world. This is clearly unacceptable,’ he stated. He confirmed that the Hungarian government will continue to support persecuted Christians through the Hungary Helps programme.
He then went on to welcome the fact that Pope Francis’ condition has improved and has now left the hospital. ‘We pray for his full recovery. His apostolic visit to Hungary will always be remembered and we will always be proud of him,’ Minister Szijjártó stated.
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