Szijjártó: Realities must be taken into consideration when making responses

A clear standpoint must be represented in respect of the war in Ukraine, but realities must be taken into consideration when making responses, as energy shortages can cause serious economic damage, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday.

Szijjártő told a meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris that preparations should be made for a difficult economic situation as a result of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the ministry said.

In the coming months, all measures that place further burdens on the economy and ordinary people must be avoided, the minister said.

Countries not responsible for the war should not be forced to pay its price,

he added. Under current circumstances, all types of tax increase must be avoided, Szijjártó said. The green transition must not be neglected, but in the current circumstances it would be an “insane idea” to increase burdens such as introducing a carbon tax on drivers of conventional cars, he added.