| Péter Balázs received Avigdor Lieberman, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Israel who is on an official visit to Hungary.  The two foreign ministers stated that political, economic and cultural relations are exceptional. They emphasised that the Jewish community in Hungary plays an important role in the strengthening of our relations and so do the quarter of a million Israelis of Hungarian origin.
At a tête-à-tête and the plenary meeting afterwards, the ministers addressed issues of the Middle East paying particular attention to the situation of the Israel-Palestine peace process and to international efforts aimed at the settlement of the conflict. They discussed Israel’s regional situation as well as factors influencing the region’s stability, e.g. Islamic fundamentalism, terrorism and the dangers inherent in Iranian politics.  Mr Balázs stressed that the region’s security and predictable development is in Hungary’s basic interests. We strive to advance the Middle-East peace process with active diplomacy. In handling the Middle-East conflict, we represent a balanced and constructive policy at a bilateral level and as a member of the European Union. We are committed to a comprehensive settlement based on negotiations whose goal is, on the one hand, to serve Israel’s security and, on the other, to allow the opportunity for the creation of a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian state. We reject any violence and unilateral realisation of interests; we support the return of the sides to the negotiating table without preconditions. This is important from the point of view of European security and the global position of the European Union alike.
 Hungary, as an EU member, - Mr Balázs went on to say - regards the decisive role of the United States as indispensible. We welcome the endeavours of the U.S. aimed at finding a settlement. The bases of the possible renewal of talks are the “two peoples – two states” and “peace for land” principles, the Road Map of the Quartet, the relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative backed by the Arab League.
The Israeli Foreign Minister greatly appreciated the standpoint which Hungary represents in the UN, in the EU and in other international forums vis-à-vis the Middle East. He thanked Hungary for its balanced and determined stance in favour of the appropriate interests. Mr Lieberman urged the strengthening of bilateral economic and cultural relations and at the same time gave a reminder of the importance of further steps against anti-Semitism, racism, discrimination and the various forms of intolerance. (January 26, 2010) |