Hungary ready to take part in Ukraine EU mission

At a meeting in Luxembourg, the new Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade Tibor Navracsics said that Hungary was ready to undertake a role in a non-military mission by the European Union aimed at consolidating the rule of law in Ukraine.

Speaking to Hungarian reporters after a meeting with his EU counterparts, Tibor Navracsics said that Hungary would contribute some experts to the mission, which is planned for a team of 50; these would be mostly police officers, who would provide support to the reform of Ukraine's civilian security bodies, and train police and National Guard personnel.

According to a communiqué by the Hungarian MFA, the minister said that it is in Hungary’s interest to see a territorially-intact Ukraine, which observes democratic norms, the rule of law and constitutionality.

Tibor Navracsics welcomed the political consensus between Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and representatives of the Hungarian minority as a sign that Ukraine will enforce the rights of its Hungarian community.

The Minister added that Hungary could become a major supplier of gas to Ukraine with an interconnecting supply line between the two countries, thus contributing to Ukraine’s stability.

In answer to a question, Navracsics said that representatives from the UK, Sweden and the Baltic countries had suggested that the EU should step up its sanctions against Russia, but he added that the majority of foreign ministers did not support this proposal.