Hungary sends protest letter to EU over "joint EU position" on UN migration pact talks

Source: Xinhua    2018-02-25 01:19:19

BUDAPEST, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hungary has formally protested in a letter sent to European Union (EU) foreign affairs and security chief Federica Mogherini for "joint EU position" in talks over the United Nations Global Compact on Migration, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Saturday.

The Hungarian minister said there were no consensus among the 28 member states, and asked for an explanation from the Mogherini as to how this situation could have happened in the first place.

Calling the case "unprecedented and scandalous," Szijjarto said Hungary was waiting for Mogherini's action to prohibit this case from happening again.

"According to European provisions, the EU can only represent a common position on international issues if all 28 member states agree. A simple majority is not enough," he underlined.

With the start of the series of negotiations on the UN compact on migration, Hungary has been facing increasing international pressure on its position on migration.

"No matter how much pressure is being applied to Hungary, the Hungarian position does not change, the country will defend its southern borders, the fence will stay in place, no illegal immigrant can come to Hungary and the only thing that matters is the safety of Hungarians," said Szijjarto.

The minister said the option for Hungary to quit the talks has been stated considering the conflict between the UN pact and Hungarian interests, but it finally decided to stay after consultations with the Visegrad partners.

"It was decided to stay in the talks and try to change the compact on migration," said the minister.

On March 12, at the next negotiating round, Szijjarto will represents the position of the Hungarian government in the United Nations.

Editor: Chengcheng
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Hungary sends protest letter to EU over "joint EU position" on UN migration pact talks

Source: Xinhua 2018-02-25 01:19:19

BUDAPEST, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hungary has formally protested in a letter sent to European Union (EU) foreign affairs and security chief Federica Mogherini for "joint EU position" in talks over the United Nations Global Compact on Migration, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Saturday.

The Hungarian minister said there were no consensus among the 28 member states, and asked for an explanation from the Mogherini as to how this situation could have happened in the first place.

Calling the case "unprecedented and scandalous," Szijjarto said Hungary was waiting for Mogherini's action to prohibit this case from happening again.

"According to European provisions, the EU can only represent a common position on international issues if all 28 member states agree. A simple majority is not enough," he underlined.

With the start of the series of negotiations on the UN compact on migration, Hungary has been facing increasing international pressure on its position on migration.

"No matter how much pressure is being applied to Hungary, the Hungarian position does not change, the country will defend its southern borders, the fence will stay in place, no illegal immigrant can come to Hungary and the only thing that matters is the safety of Hungarians," said Szijjarto.

The minister said the option for Hungary to quit the talks has been stated considering the conflict between the UN pact and Hungarian interests, but it finally decided to stay after consultations with the Visegrad partners.

"It was decided to stay in the talks and try to change the compact on migration," said the minister.

On March 12, at the next negotiating round, Szijjarto will represents the position of the Hungarian government in the United Nations.

[Editor: huaxia]
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