Hungary canceled visits from Baerbock: political tensions about trips to Moscow

Hungary canceled visits from Baerbock: political tensions about trips to Moscow

Hungary says visit from Annalena Baerbock - "Appeal" as a reason

The cancellation of the planned visit to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Hungary causes a stir. As a reason, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is "unforeseen change in the schedule". This meant that Berlin was asked to postpone the visit to a later but still prompt time. It was emphasized that it was technical and not political reasons.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto accompanied Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday on his trip to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit is considered controversial by some, since Russia has been war on attack against Ukraine for more than two years. Szijjarto has a close relationship with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrow, who awarded him the Russian order of friendship in 2021. Orban staged the meeting with Putin as a "peace mission".

Due to Orban's pro-Russian politics and the reduction of democracy in Hungary, German government representatives have been less present in recent years. The visit of Baerbock in Budapest was also planned on July 1 due to the takeover of the EU chairmanship of the EU.

The short -term cancellation of the visit was regretted by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The importance of a serious personal conversation between the two outdoor ministers was emphasized in view of the unexpected trip to Orban to Moscow, which was not coordinated.

- Nag