“Europe can only be capable of handling challenges while preserving national identities and cultural, historical and religious heritage, but unfortunately opposite processes and aspirations are being observed”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in San Marino on Wednesday.
“For this reason, Hungary needs the cooperation of European countries that are sensitive to their national identities, and which are proud of their religious, historic and cultural heritage, and San Marino is one such country”, Mr. Szijjártó said in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI following a meeting with the mini-state’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Luca Beccari.
“Deepening political-economic cooperation and the soonest possible signing of an association agreement between San Marino and the European Union are important common interests”, he stated. “If this occurs, then there will be another state with which we can work together for the preservation of our national interests and religious, cultural and historic heritage”, he said.
The Minister reported on the fact that education cooperation is being placed at the foundation of bilateral relations, and accordingly ten students from San Marino will be receiving scholarships to attend Hungarian universities from 2021. In addition, negotiations on an investment protection agreement between the two countries will begin at the earliest opportunity, he added.
In the afternoon, Mr. Szijjártó will also be holding talks with San Marino’s Minister of Finance and Transport, Minister of Tourism, and Minister of Industry and Trade.