Minister of State for EU Policies Szabolcs Takács made a multi-day visit to the United Kingdom meeting the Hungarian community to discuss the situation after Brexit.
The Minister of State held an information session first in London, then in Edinburgh, Manchester and Chester in the next two days, with the contribution of a British legal expert commissioned by the European Commission to inform the Hungarian citizens about the consequences of UK’s departure from the European Union. Szabolcs Takács underlined that the protection of the acquired rights of Hungarians living in the UK is a priority for the Hungarian government, and, although Hungary is interested in a Brexit with a deal, the intentions of the British government guaranteeing these rights even in the case of a no-deal Brexit are also welcomed.
Mr Takács participated as guest of honour in the national day receptions in London, Manchester and Chester to commemorate the 1848/1849 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight, moreover he also had talks with prominent British politicians, analysts and heads of research institutions. Among others he met in London Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan to exchange views on bilateral relations and Minister of State at DExEU Lord Callanan to talk about Brexit negotiations and the Future of Europe. In the Westminster Parliament Minister of State Takács also had talks with Bob Neill MP, the chair of the Hungarian APPG and he discussed the topics of Brexit negotiation, EP election and migration with Lord Hill, former EU Commissioner and Charles Grant, the director of Centre for European Reform.
In Edinburgh, Szabolcs Takács met Ben MacPherson, Minister for Europe and Migration of the Scottish Government and Gillian McGregor, director of the UK Government Office for Scotland.
Minister of State Takács participated at a debate at University College London about the possibilities to reform the EU and met Hungarian nationals living in the UK to brief them on Brexit and their rights as EU citizens. He also gave an interview to Sky News All Out Politics on College Green, and he laid a wreath on Lajos Kossuth’s plaque in Manchester.
