Europe’s security starts in the Sahel, foreign ministry state secretary Tristan Azbej said on Thursday.
Azbej noted on Facebook that he had visited the African country in the company of László Eduárd Máthé, ministerial commissioner in charge of foreign policy coordination of Hungarian government activities in the Sub-sahara region.
They visited Niger to hold talks regarding efforts to thwart illegal migration and terrorism, and collect information about the humanitarian situation in the region.
Máthé said on Facebook and on X that “the only path to stability and security is the one that starts with talks.”
An entry on the English language website About Hungary says that “in recent times migration risks in the Sahel region and pressure on Europe from illegal immigration have continued to increase”.
Niger having central role
“Given the central role of Niger in monitoring migration routes, Hungary has initiated a dialogue with the relevant Nigerian authorities in order to gain an understanding of the position and thinking of the current government of Niger,” it said. “This is necessary because Hungary aims to contribute to reducing migration pressure on Europe,” it added.
“In its projected relations with the Nigerien leadership, Hungary is following what has become established practice in the Western alliance system,” it said. “The threat of terrorism has recently emerged as a growing risk in the region, causing a deterioration in the local population’s living conditions,” it added.
“Hungary seeks to understand how it can work with affected partners on this issue, based on the principle of assistance on the ground,” the website said.
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Is that why they released over 2000 people smugglers from our jails? What a joke these people are!