The ministry cited Szijjártó telling a panel discussion at the EU-Central Asia Economic Forum that Europe was facing huge economic challenges, which justified that Hungary considers cooperation with central Asia important. He told the discussion focusing on ways to improve the regional business climate that the world had regrettably started moving towards the formation of blocs. When Hungary argues in favour of connectivity and “civilised” cooperation between East and West, it is not because the country is anybody’s friend or spy but because “we are aware of our own national interests,” he said. The minister said Hungary was a good example of how a country could benefit from civilised East-West cooperation “based on mutual respect and mutual trust and aiming at mutual benefits”. Hungary has been able to become an important meeting point for investors from the East and West because it has never discriminated against investors based on their nationality, Szijjártó said. This is especially true in the field of electromobility which is key for the future success of Europe, he added.