Hungary summons Spanish ambassador over minister’s remarks

Hungary’s foreign ministry has summoned the Spanish ambassador over the Spanish foreign minister’s recent critical remarks concerning Hungary.

Foreign ministry state secretary Levente Magyar told reporters on Wednesday that Josep Borell, “the foreign minister of the far-left Spanish government, launched an insulting and violent outburst” against Hungary at a public forum on Tuesday.

The two countries can disagree on certain matters, “and in this turbulent European political situation”, certain countries may face criticism, Magyar said.

But the tone of these criticisms, he added, “mustn’t overstep the framework of honesty and fair cooperation”, especially if Hungary is not there to respond to them.

Magyar said Borell had accused Hungary of xenophobia at the forum in question and said that the country lacked a separation of powers and press freedom. He also called Hungary and other countries in the region “pseudo-democracies,” Magyar added.