Ilham Aliyev held expanded meeting with President of Hungary Katalin Novák

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held an expanded meeting with President of Hungary Katalin Novák in Budapest.

Addressing the meeting, President of Hungary Katalin Novák said:

- Once again, welcome. Sorry to the delegation members that it took much longer than expected. But we had so many things to discuss that it could have lasted longer. But hopefully, next time, we can also continue in a more informal way - tête-à-tête.

So, thank you for coming. It is an honor to have you on an official visit to Hungary. I know that you already had a very good program yesterday. I hope for a good continuation, which will be with Prime Minister, the executive. I am just a representative - the head of the state.

As mentioned, you met the delegation members at Kossuth Square at your reception. But you didn’t meet our new energy minister, one of our most important topics – the energy cooperation between our two countries.

Unfortunately, we are not in such a lucky situation as you are. We were deprived of our natural energy resources more than 100 years ago. So, we don't have it anymore. And we need good friends and partners so that we can now diversify our energy resources because you know that for the present, we are dependent on Russian oil and gas. And that was also one of the significant issues we discussed - the actual war situation and our expectations. So, once again, Mr. President, thank you for coming.

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President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Thank you, Madame President. Thank you for your invitation. It is a big honor to visit your beautiful country on an official visit. Using this opportunity, I invite you to visit Azerbaijan on an official visit at any time convenient for you to continue our dialogue.

I am glad to be in Hungary again. As you mentioned, yesterday with Prime Minister, we had a very informal and friendly, but at the same time full of discussions meeting, and today we will continue.

And all the delegation members have my instructions to be permanently in touch with their colleagues to address essential issues of the bilateral agenda. Of course, energy is on top of our agenda. And today, we will sign an important MoU, which is a crucial step because this is the first document to be signed to start operations in the gas supply area.

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Discussions at the meeting revolved around cooperation between the two countries within international organizations. Hungary’s support for Azerbaijan-EU relations was highlighted in particular. They underlined that there was respect and trust between Hungary and Azerbaijan. Development of Hungary’s relationship with the South Caucasus region and the Caspian basin, and Central Asian nations was underlined at the meeting.

They also touched upon cooperation on family values, particularly joint actions within international organizations, adding that family values are in the public limelight in Hungary and Azerbaijan.

The conversation also focused on student exchange as the two presidents highlighted Hungary’s providing educational scholarships to Azerbaijani students as a contribution to youth cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also discussed cooperation in demining.