Tweet
KINGA GONCZ: HUNGARY'S PM ORBAN PERSONALLY DECIDED ABOUT EXTRADITING SAFAROV
Mediamax
Sept 5 2012
Armenia
The exclusive interview of Hungary's former Foreign Minister Kinga
Goncz to Mediamax
Kinga Goncz is Hungary's former Foreign Minister (9 June 2006 - 14
April 2009). She is the daughter of Árpad Goncz, former President
of Hungary. In 2009 she headed the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP)
European election list and was subsequently elected as one of 22
Hungarian Members of the European Parliament.
- Ms Goncz, what's Your opinion about the decision of Hungary to
extradite Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan?
- I consider it a serious mistake. The issue of the possible
extradition of Ramil Safarov was also raised during my tenure in
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We didn't meet this request because
we didn't want to spark a conflict between the two countries whose
relationship has been tense for decades beacuse of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The extradition was a wrong decision which might have been made without
taking into account the possible consequences, not consulting experts
before the decision. But, if the Hungarian government has been aware
of the possible consequences, it has acted unethically. Either case
is seriously problematic.
- Many analysts affirm that Azerbaijan and Hungary struck a secret
deal in which Azerbaijan agreed to buy Hungarian government debt
obligations in exchange for Safarov release. What do You think on this?
- We don't know what exactly happened. What we know is that Prime
Minister Orban advertises his policy of "opening to the East",
meaning turning away from European values and avoiding any kind of
outside control over his government. He tries to find other sources
than the IMF to finance the budget deficit and no price seems to be
too high for it.
- State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan announced it "is not considering any
investment into debt obligations or other financial tools in Hungary".
Does it mean that Azerbaijan tricked Hungary?
- I can't answer this question. We don't know what exactly happened.
What we know is that it was the Prime Minister who personally decided
about extraditing Mr Safarov.
- What Hungary lost or achieved as a result of Safarov extradition
to Azerbaijan?
- Hungary achieved nothing. At the same time it has broken its
image in the international arena. Whether it was flawed diplomacy
or unethical behaviour, either case is very harmful for Hungary's
international reputation.
- Who are the main responsible of this situation?
- The Azeri President, the Hungarian government and personally Prime
Minister Viktor Orban hold responsibility for the tense situation.
- What's the opinion of Hungarian Socialist Party about Safarov
extradition?
- The Hungarian Socialist Party harshly critizised the steps taken by
the Hungarian goverment while extraditing Mr Safarov. The party asks
for parliamentary inquiry and calls on the PM to publicly apologize
to Armenia.
- Do you find it possible that PM Viktor Orban may resign because of
the situation?
- After dismantling the system of democratic checks and balances
in Hungary, Prime Minister Orban, with suppport of his party's
parliamentary majority does whatever he wants. His policy sparks
numerous conflicts internally and externally, and without any political
consequences.
- On August 31 Armenian President Serj Sargsian announced that Armenia
is suspending diplomatic relations and all official ties with Hungary.
What developments to expect as a result of the halt of diplomatic
relations between two countries?
- The EU Eastern Partnership is very important for Hungary's foreign
policy. Our country's relations with Armenia are traditionally very
good. Hungarians have always felt deep sympathy and appreciation
towards the people of Armenia and their history. I do hope that
this incident cannot and will not darken our relations and future
cooperation. In these days many people in Hungary expressed their deep
sympathy, apology and compassion towards your country and your people.
- What do you think, when and how it is possible the Restoration of
relations between Armenia and Hungary?
- I hope our traditionally good relations will be recovering sooner
than later. I also hope that Armenian people will not confuse our
autocratic government with other political actors, and the Hungarian
people.
Narine Daneghyan talked to Kinga Goncz for Mediamax.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/5758/
Mediamax
Sept 5 2012
Armenia
The exclusive interview of Hungary's former Foreign Minister Kinga
Goncz to Mediamax
Kinga Goncz is Hungary's former Foreign Minister (9 June 2006 - 14
April 2009). She is the daughter of Árpad Goncz, former President
of Hungary. In 2009 she headed the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP)
European election list and was subsequently elected as one of 22
Hungarian Members of the European Parliament.
- Ms Goncz, what's Your opinion about the decision of Hungary to
extradite Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan?
- I consider it a serious mistake. The issue of the possible
extradition of Ramil Safarov was also raised during my tenure in
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We didn't meet this request because
we didn't want to spark a conflict between the two countries whose
relationship has been tense for decades beacuse of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The extradition was a wrong decision which might have been made without
taking into account the possible consequences, not consulting experts
before the decision. But, if the Hungarian government has been aware
of the possible consequences, it has acted unethically. Either case
is seriously problematic.
- Many analysts affirm that Azerbaijan and Hungary struck a secret
deal in which Azerbaijan agreed to buy Hungarian government debt
obligations in exchange for Safarov release. What do You think on this?
- We don't know what exactly happened. What we know is that Prime
Minister Orban advertises his policy of "opening to the East",
meaning turning away from European values and avoiding any kind of
outside control over his government. He tries to find other sources
than the IMF to finance the budget deficit and no price seems to be
too high for it.
- State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan announced it "is not considering any
investment into debt obligations or other financial tools in Hungary".
Does it mean that Azerbaijan tricked Hungary?
- I can't answer this question. We don't know what exactly happened.
What we know is that it was the Prime Minister who personally decided
about extraditing Mr Safarov.
- What Hungary lost or achieved as a result of Safarov extradition
to Azerbaijan?
- Hungary achieved nothing. At the same time it has broken its
image in the international arena. Whether it was flawed diplomacy
or unethical behaviour, either case is very harmful for Hungary's
international reputation.
- Who are the main responsible of this situation?
- The Azeri President, the Hungarian government and personally Prime
Minister Viktor Orban hold responsibility for the tense situation.
- What's the opinion of Hungarian Socialist Party about Safarov
extradition?
- The Hungarian Socialist Party harshly critizised the steps taken by
the Hungarian goverment while extraditing Mr Safarov. The party asks
for parliamentary inquiry and calls on the PM to publicly apologize
to Armenia.
- Do you find it possible that PM Viktor Orban may resign because of
the situation?
- After dismantling the system of democratic checks and balances
in Hungary, Prime Minister Orban, with suppport of his party's
parliamentary majority does whatever he wants. His policy sparks
numerous conflicts internally and externally, and without any political
consequences.
- On August 31 Armenian President Serj Sargsian announced that Armenia
is suspending diplomatic relations and all official ties with Hungary.
What developments to expect as a result of the halt of diplomatic
relations between two countries?
- The EU Eastern Partnership is very important for Hungary's foreign
policy. Our country's relations with Armenia are traditionally very
good. Hungarians have always felt deep sympathy and appreciation
towards the people of Armenia and their history. I do hope that
this incident cannot and will not darken our relations and future
cooperation. In these days many people in Hungary expressed their deep
sympathy, apology and compassion towards your country and your people.
- What do you think, when and how it is possible the Restoration of
relations between Armenia and Hungary?
- I hope our traditionally good relations will be recovering sooner
than later. I also hope that Armenian people will not confuse our
autocratic government with other political actors, and the Hungarian
people.
Narine Daneghyan talked to Kinga Goncz for Mediamax.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/5758/