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Poland and Hungary to help religious persecution victims together

18.08.2020

“I hope that the memorandum will allow us to bring direct help to persecuted religious groups, Christians in particular, as well as all other denominations. We will support them and act to raise global awareness of the growing scale of violations of a fundamental human right: the right to freedom of religion and belief,” said Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński in Budapest.

Group of people are sitting at the table. On the background there are Polish and Hungarian flags

The deputy minister went on a two-day visit to Hungary at the invitation of Hungarian State Secretary Tristan Azbej, the Minister of State for Helping Persecuted Christians, responsible for the implementation of the Hungary Helps Programme.

The most important item on the agenda was signing the Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Stabilisation, Recovery and Reconciliation through Humanitarian and Development Cooperation in Response to Humanitarian Crises and the Persecution of Religious Minorities Worldwide.

During the talks, the ministers highlighted the importance of international cooperation to counteract threats to freedom of religion and declared their will to support Christians and other religious groups suffering persecution because of their beliefs. Particular support should be provided to the most vulnerable: children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities who suffer the most from humanitarian crises. “The needs of the weakest are the main priority of Polish Aid,” emphasised Deputy Minister Jabłoński. “This also includes religious minorities, as well as displaced and persecuted communities around the world. Their protection is one of the most important objectives of Polish foreign policy. The right to practice and profess one’s beliefs is a basic human right. It is the task of countries like Poland and Hungary to protect this right, in line with Christian and humanistic values that guide our policies,” he added.

Deputy Minister Jabłoński also met with Zsolt Németh, President of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Hungarian National Assembly. The interlocutors expressed their appreciation for both countries’ cooperation in the area of freedom of religion and belief. In this context, they mentioned the Religious Freedom Alliance, whose Poland and Hungary are founding members. The discussion also covered bilateral issues. The officials highlighted the importance of bilateral relations during the difficult time of pandemic. Deputy Minister Jabłoński recalled the visit of Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz to Budapest in May and expressed his hope that soon other visits of senior Polish and Hungarian officials, postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, will follow.

Tomorrow, Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński will meet with István Joó, Deputy State Secretary for Export Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They will address cooperation within the Visegrad Group, including the priorities of the Polish presidency, as well as economic issues. Also on Tuesday, the deputy chief of Polish diplomacy will meet with the representatives of the Polish community in Hungary.

 

MFA Press Office

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