UPDATE 2 - Hungary says EU statement on Venezuela exposes 'deep crisis' in bloc’s foreign policy

UPDATES WITH REMARKS OF HUNGARIAN PREMIER; ADDS TO DECK

By Burak Bir and Beyza Binnur Donmez

LONDON/GENEVA (AA) - Hungary’s European Union affairs minister on Monday denounced an EU statement on Venezuela, saying it reveals "the deep crisis" in the bloc’s common foreign policy.

"Beyond expressing vague wishes, the EU has no real message or strategy for the region and is unable to define its interests in the new era of great-power politics," Janos Boka said in a statement shared by government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs through US social media company X.

Boka said the statement issued Sunday by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Venezuela "clearly exposes the deep crisis of the EU’s common foreign policy."

EU member states except Hungary on Sunday called for calm and restraint, urging respect for international law after the recent US military action in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of the country to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

"The EU recalls that, under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld," read the EU statement endorsed by 26 members.

The Hungarian minister said that lacking both tools and influence, the EU has so far "failed to become a meaningful actor — and no change is in sight."

"Kaja Kallas’s statement is a sign of weakness and a fundamental misunderstanding of the transformation of international relations," he said.

He said Budapest is "doing its job," taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Hungarian citizens in Venezuela, safeguarding Hungary’s energy supply, and closely monitoring developments on the ground.

- EU statement 'undermines bloc's international credibility'

In a separate statement, Balazs Orban, political director of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, harshly criticized the EU statement, saying the EU’s foreign policy has once again "drifted away from geopolitical reality."

"The statement issued by 26 Member States on the situation in Venezuela does not strengthen, but rather undermines the EU’s international credibility," he wrote on X.

Balazs said the EU responded to an issue over which it has "neither meaningful influence nor real leverage," and one that has already been concluded.

Citing the Hungarian premier's previous remarks at the year-opening international press conference, he recalled that "the collapse of any narco-state is a cause for relief."

He added that the premier made it clear Hungary does not support the establishment of a common EU policy as the bloc's founding treaties "assign foreign policy to national competence."

"For this reason, #Hungary will not take part in statements that seek to elevate foreign policy decisions belonging to national competence to the EU level," said the political director.

Pursuing a different course from the EU, including on major issues such as Ukraine and migration, the Hungarian government has consistently criticized the bloc’s foreign policy.

- US intervention in Venezuela 'good news' for energy markets

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed that US' capture of Venezuela's President Maduro and its intervention in the South American country would have a "good" impact on energy markets.

"What I find important for Hungary is that, together with Venezuela, the United States will now be able to control an estimated 40-50% of the world's oil reserves. This is a force that is already capable of significantly influencing the price of energy on the world market," he told reporters at a news conference.

"I see a serious chance that, as a result of Venezuela being brought under control, a more favorable global energy situation will arise for Hungary, and that is good news," Orban added.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the US military action on Venezuela resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, also pledging to assert American control over the country for the time being, with US troops if necessary.

Maduro has denied the accusations, and officials in Venezuela’s capital Caracas have called for the couple’s release.