Hungarian FM: 'No body can tell us from the outside how to live'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Feb 13:36
1 Shares

Peter Szijjarto tersely states that the period of foreign envoys teaching Hungarians how to live in their own nation has come to an end, in reference to the US ambassador's controversial remarks.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto attends an interview in Budapest. (Reuters)

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto slammed the US Ambassador in Budapest David Pressman on Thursday, saying he had no business meddling in the country's domestic affairs.

Earlier this week, Pressman said as quoted by Politico that Hungarian policymakers “continue to push policies endorsed by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” in reference to Budapest's opposition to anti-Russia sanctions and support of Moscow’s proposals for a ceasefire.

In response, Szijjarto said as quoted by Russian RT that “nobody can tell us from the outside how to live, so it is of no interest what a citizen of another country – be it an ambassador – thinks about the domestic political processes in Hungary."

“We ask for more respect for the Hungarians, even from the ambassador,” he added.

"It is not Pressman’s job to interfere in the internal affairs of Hungary,” the Minister stressed.

Szijjarto went on to say, “If Pressman wants to use his stay in Hungary to qualify the activities of the government elected by the Hungarian people with a fairly clear majority… then he will have a very difficult time” cementing ties between the two countries.

Szijjarto acknowledged that when Hungary receives foreign ambassadors, the country expects them to behave properly and endeavor to develop bilateral relations, stressing that the period of foreign envoys teaching Hungarians how to live in their own nation has come to an end.

Concurrently, Hungarian media accused David Pressman of eroding traditional values, breaking diplomatic agreements, and intervening in the judiciary shortly after he arrived in Hungary to take up a new job in September as the United States ambassador.

Respectfully, we do not consider Russia’s attempt to unilaterally redraw the borders of Europe as just a “domestic political development in Hungary.” pic.twitter.com/UWCtFhc4Dl
— Ambassador David Pressman (@USAmbHungary) February 2, 2023

The big picture

Hungary was the only country in the EU to refuse to support Brussels' initiative to train the Ukrainian army in Europe, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in October, highlighting that his country would not participate in the EU's training of Kiev's soldiers.

The country is the only European Union member state to take such a stance, with its Foreign Minister explaining Budapest's position by underlining that it supported peace efforts rather than escalation.

It has been staunchly opposed to the European Union's policies against Russia since the onset of the Ukraine war, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban refusing to impose sanctions the way the rest of the bloc has, in addition to refusing various other anti-Russian measures.