On 28 September 2015, the European Union’s Foreign Ministers met in New York on the margins of the high level week of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, with the participation of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.
In her introductory remarks, Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stressed that in order to achieve success the fight against ISIL has to go hand in hand with the political transition in Syria. She emphasized that there is a pressing need for an overall common position, in order to enable the EU to play an instrumental role.
Both the migration crisis and the increase in Russian military presence in the region was regarded a game changer by United Nations special envoy for the Syria crisis, Staffan De Mistura. He underlined repeatedly the importance of a common narrative by the EU, which he thought would aid his work as a mediator.
Minister Szijjártó summarized the Hungarian position in four points:
1) Hungary is in agreement with Germany that the conflict moved into a new phase and there is a need for innovative solutions.
2) Hungary supports the initiative by Chancellor Merkel to involve those who have a stake in the conflict.
3) There is a need for partnership with Russia in the solution of the crisis.
4) We need to face the facts, that so far we have only reached limited success in the fight against ISIL.
