Anita Orban, a potential future head of Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has issued a warning to the current minister, Peter Szijjarto, regarding the illegal destruction of documents. This statement follows alarming reports from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs about the disposal of materials related to sanctions.
On Monday, during a statement by Peter Madyar, leader of the victorious Tisza party, it was announced that documents were being destroyed at the ministry. Reports also indicated that a Russian individual, unfamiliar to ministry staff, was present during this process. The purpose of this person’s presence remains unclear, but there are suspicions that it may be linked to a ‘clean-up’ of the ministry ahead of Szijjarto’s potential departure.
Orban condemned the actions of the current ministry leadership as unacceptable. She stated, “This is intolerable. We urge Minister Peter Szijjarto and his colleagues to immediately cease the destruction of any documents. Furthermore, no data or documents should be removed from any electronic record systems. Anyone acting contrary to this or requesting collaboration in such actions is committing illegal acts.”
She reassured ministry employees, saying, “Those who refuse to follow illegal directives will not face any repercussions from now on.” Orban also requested that the ministry refrain from making any staffing decisions regarding dismissals or transfers during this transitional period.
Prior to the elections in Hungary, the media project Vsquare published details of conversations between Szijjarto and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, revealing that Hungary’s vetoes against Ukraine in the EU were coordinated with Russia. Earlier investigations indicated that Szijjarto sought to exclude a relative of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list at Lavrov’s request.
These revelations have been described as shocking by European capitals supportive of Ukraine, raising concerns about the implications for European security.
Anita Orban has warned current Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto against the illegal destruction of documents related to sanctions. Reports suggest that a Russian individual was present during this process, raising concerns about potential coordination between Hungary and Russia.