The European Union should increase financial support for Jordan to bolster its stability and defence, especially since the country has an important role in curbing migration, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Monday, after meeting his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, in Budapest. Péter Szijjártó told a joint press conference that the two countries, despite the geographic distance, were facing similar security risks, and that Jordan was also dealing with a war in a neighbouring country. The war in Ukraine has led to rising prices in the Middle East too, and conflicts there often manifest as migration pressure in Europe, Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement. Peace in both regions is in both countries’ interest, he said. “We know perfectly well that there are no solutions to these conflicts … on the battlefield. Those acting against peace or relativising it, and those hindering the success of those steps, are responsible for every death hereafter,” he said.
Another security risk in Hungary, migration pressure, is exacerbated by EU policy, and so “Middle Eastern countries curbing migration that are ready and able to handle the root causes” are very important, he said. Hungary appreciates Jordan’s stance against extremism and terrorist organisations, he said. “We also appreciate that Jordan houses millions of refugees, because otherwise these people would all start for Europe.” Hungary urges the EU and international organisations to increase financial aid for Jordan, he added. The EU should use the European Peace Facility, among others, to fund Jordan’s defence capabilities, he said. Hungary has recently supported 13 development projects to improve the situation in refugee camps, he said. It also offers 400 government grants for Jordanian students wishing to study in Hungary, he said. Szijjártó and Safadi signed a plan on cultural cooperation in 2024-2027.