PM Orbán had talks with Ethiopian Christian leaders

At a meeting held in the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Ethiopian Christian leaders had talks about the impacts of migration on Europe and Africa, and the persecution of Christians.

The meeting between Mr Orbán and Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, head of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Samson Bekele Demissie, Director General of the Child and Family Affairs Organization (CFAO) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Girma Borishie Bati, Director of the Development and Social Services Commission (DASSC) of the Mekane Yesus Ethiopian Evangelical Church (EECMY) was originally scheduled for this spring; however, due to the Ethopian air disaster which occurred on 10 March and the national mourning ordered in Ethiopia on account of the accident the parties decided on the postponement of the visit.

At the Tuesday meeting, the Ethiopian Christian leaders told the Hungarian Prime Minister that their churches are opposed to emigration from African countries; they would like young people to find advancement in their own countries.

They said those leaving their native land find themselves in an exposed situation, and become the “toys” of people smugglers.