Common economic and security interests will tie Hungary and the United Kingdom together also after Brexit, the parties confirmed during the Budapest visit of Lord Callanan, Minister of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union, as part of which the British politician met with Minister of State Szabolcs Takács (Prime Minister’s Office) and Minister of State for International, Family and Youth Affairs Katalin Novák (Ministry of Human Capacities).
The parties agreed at the Budapest talks: in consequence of Brexit, Europe has been forced to step outside its comfort zone and to sincerely face the political and economic challenges that are mounting before it. Hungary and the United Kingdom share similar views in the debate on the common European future as both countries place the main emphasis on the security and competitiveness of the continent. Mr. Takács underlined: regardless of Britain’s exit, we shall continue to look upon the United Kingdom as a major European partner also in the future, and in harmony with this, we are arguing in favour of a mutually advantageous partnership between the European Union and Britain which would allow the widest possible economic and trade cooperation also in the future.
Katalin Novák highlighted: guaranteeing the acquired rights of EU nationals living in the United Kingdom, including the Hungarian community of more than a hundred thousand, is a fundamental interest of Hungary and Central Europe. No one can find themselves at a disadvantage on account of the fact that, by exercising their right to freedom of movement, they study or work in Britain, together with their family as the case may be, and contribute to the economic and social life and development of the United Kingdom.
Both countries see illegal migration as one of the gravest challenges that Europe is facing. We need rational solutions based on common sense, in the context of which the underlying tenet is that the external borders must be adequately monitored. The partners underlined: the stability of the Western Balkans, too, is crucial for the security of Europe. Hungary has a thorough understanding of the region also on account of its geographical location, and this knowledge and experience may prove to be useful at a European level as well.