BEIRUT, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Friday hailed the role Lebanon has played in hosting Syrian refugees.
Szijjarto's remarks came at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil following a meeting at Bustros Palace.
"Lebanon plays an extremely important role when it comes to the safety and security of Europe since you have been hosting more than 2 million Syrian refugees," he said.
"We urge the European Union to double the financial assistance to Lebanon by another 400 million euros because we are interested in keeping your stability and keeping your ability to take care of the refugees in your country," Szijjarto added.
The Hugarian minister also expressed his solidarity with the Syrian people, expressing hope that "the Syrian refugees can go home soon, and that the Syrian crisis will be solved."
According to UN Refugee Agency, more than 1 million Syrian refugees are registered in Lebanon, but the government estimates that the number is close to 1.5 million.
Peter Szijjarto arrived in Beirut on Friday and met with Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss bilateral relations as well as the current developments in Lebanon and the Middle East.
