On 23 April, 2019, His Excellency Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, addressed the General Assembly at its Formal Debate on the third report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on Syria.

H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary addressed the General Assembly at its very first formal debate on third report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism. Minister Szijjártó highlighted the Hungarian political commitment and financial contributions of Hungary to the successfully operation of the IIIM.

The General Assembly held its very first formal debate on 23 April on the third report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. The meeting was chaired by, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the General Assembly, the report of the IIIM was introduced by Catherine Marchi-Uhel, Head if the Mechanism.

H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary underlined that illegal migration flows into Europe caused by armed conflicts in the Middle-east result the most significant security challenge for the continent since the European Union had been founded. The only solution can be returning of migrants to their home countries, therefore the international community has to find the way to help and assist to reach out this goal.

Hungary is strongly committed to democracy, rule of law, strong institutions and fighting impunity. It is needed to bring perpetrators to justice, there is no peace without legality. The rules-based international order can be reached only by peaceful solutions, thus we need to enhance the cooperation, sharing information and best practices among member states and non-state actors. ,

Minister Szijjártó also stressed the need of political and financial supporting of the IIIM. Hungary has been committed to work of the mechanism since the beginning, we have contributed 150.000 euro so far, 50.000 euro each year with the intent to continue it in the future. Hungary also agrees on implicating the budget of the IIIM into the regular UN budget after the year 2020.

Finally, H.E. Péter Szijjártó noted that Hungary, as not just a European but also a Christian country has to stress out the importance of collective efforts in combatting discrimination and persecution against religious minorities, among others Christian communities worldwide. It is one of the most serious challenges in present days, thus the international community should make extra efforts in contributing this crucial issue.