Jüri Ratas discussed energy and security with the Hungarian Speaker 

NordenBladet —

The President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas met with the speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér. The two colleagues discussed topical foreign policy and security issues of the region, energy, and opportunities for further improving our close bilateral relations.

Discussing the Belarus hybrid crisis, the parties agreed that an immediate and efficient European Union level solution is a must. “It is not acceptable that third countries use migrants for their political aims, as is happening today in Belarus,” Ratas said. “The situation on the European Union external border – Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia – is not simply a migration crisis, but also a security threat and hybrid attack against the entire European Union.”

A lot of emphasis was placed on the excellent relations of the two countries. “Cultural relations between Estonia and Hungary are excellent. I’m sure the Finno-Ugric dimension is an important factor here,” Ratas said. Our defence cooperation is also outstanding, while our bilateral economic relations have room to grow. Ratas acknowledged Hungary’s contribution to Baltic security and thanked it for taking part in the NATO air policing mission.

The President of the Riigikogu then paid a visit to the President of Hungary János Áder, to discuss the results of the Glasgow Climate Conference and Estonia’s objectives in funding the Recovery Plan for Europe.

On the first day of the visit to Hungary, the President of the Riigikogu met with the Minister of Justice Judit Varga, discussing digitalisation and cyber security. The two also shared their experiences on topics around the COVID crisis and vaccination. Other topics included the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe and its possible outcomes. Both sides expressed concern over the events in Poland and on the EU border in Lithuania. 

At the meeting yesterday with the President of the Hungary-Estonia Friendship Group Attila Tilki, the focus was on cooperation between the parliamentary groups. At the meeting with the Honorary Consul András Bereczki, who is also the Head of the Chair of Finno-Ugric Languages at the Budapest Eötvös Loránd University, the talk was about teaching Estonian language and culture.

The Chairman of Estonia-Hungary Parliamentary Group Anti Poolamets was also present at the meetings. Still this year, our Parliamentary Group is planning to visit Hungary.  

Photos of the visit

Source: Parliament of Estonia