Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó received Jeyhun Bayramov, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who is paying an official visit to Hungary. The tête–à–tête conversation of the two Ministers was followed by the plenary session of the two delegations, and then by the first session of the Hungary–Azerbaijan Strategic Dialogue.
During their talks the Sides exchanged their views on the opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Hungary and Azerbaijan, as well as on regional issues. They agreed to continue the mutual high level visits, stressing the importance and the role of political dialogue in developing the bilateral ties. First, Péter Szijjártó underlined that there are no open political questions between the two countries. He also welcomed the fact that in the first half of 2023 the volume of bilateral trade was the double of the one in the course of the whole of last year. After the talks, Péter Szijjártó pointed out that the friendship between the two countries is not dependent on boom and bust. So we have not been friends only since the time that Europe has been in need of the natural gas of Azerbaijan. He highlighted that the two countries have continuously cultivated friendly relations with each other. As a result of this, the physical flow of natural gas has started between Azerbaijan and Hungary.
During their meeting Jeyhun Bayramov offered Péter Szijjártó a detailed overview of the current situation in the region, as well as the realities of the time after the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He spoke about the efforts of Azerbaijan to normalize its relations with Armenia, the signing of the peace treaty, the opening of transport and communication routes, as well as demarcating the borders. Foreign Minister Bayramov briefed his Hungarian counterpart on the timetable for peace initiated by Azerbaijan, emphasizing the constructive attitude and efforts of his country. He expressed his thanks to Minister Szijjártó for the interest of Hungary in the large-scale rebuilding work in Azerbaijan. After this, the Sides signed the Protocol of the first session of the Hungary–Azerbaijan Strategic Dialogue.
