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Budapest could face consequences for not respecting the EU’s jointly agreed foreign policy and interests, Finland’s foreign minister told Yle News.
Hungary, Ukraine, Gaza and the United States are on the foreign minister’s agenda Elena Valtonen (NCP) represented Finland at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday.
Valtonen said the discussions included Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor OrbanHe held unauthorized meetings with the leaders of Russia and China. He visited Moscow and Beijing earlier this month, shortly after Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Valtonen stressed that the EU presidency is not qualified to represent the foreign policy of the 27 EU countries.
“Hungary has no right to represent the EU in foreign policy. Orban did not represent the EU when he visited Russia and China,” she told Yle News.
Valtonen said she had discussed the topic with colleagues and that discussions on the matter would continue in the Foreign Affairs Committee later on Monday.
“Finland’s and the EU’s support for Ukraine is clear. Russia is an aggressive country and it is impossible to discuss Ukraine without Ukraine,” the foreign minister said.
“We expect Hungary and Orban to respect and act in accordance with the EU’s jointly agreed foreign policy and interests. If these are not respected, measures must be taken,” she warned, without specifying what that might mean.
Ukraine and Gaza issues on the table
The talks in Brussels focused mainly on Ukraine and the Gaza conflict.
The ministers negotiated EU military support for Ukraine, a freeze on the use of Russian funding revenues and followed up on a Ukrainian peace conference in Switzerland. Attend President of Finland Alexander Stubb. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba participated in Monday’s discussion via video link.
Valtonen called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
“The EU should continue to act resolutely to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” she said, adding that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved under the two-state model.
Valtonen made the comments to Yle News via email ahead of a press conference on Monday evening.
Follow the US presidential election
EU foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the possible impact of the latest developments in the US presidential campaign, including the president’s Joe BidenDeciding not to run for re-election, Republican candidate Donald Trumps Choice JD Vancea sharp critic of U.S. aid to Ukraine, as his running mate.
Valtonen echoed Stubb’s sentiments. Comment Regarding this issue earlier on Monday.
“Finland will continue to work closely with the United States and its president before and after the election. Finland and the United States have extensive and close relations and we have shown through our actions that we are reliable partners,” she told Yle News.
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