Hungarian government intends to open a consulate in Yerevan

YEREVAN, October 27. /ARKA/. The Hungarian government intends to open a consulate in Yerevan to contribute to the expansion of Armenian-Hungarian ties, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said today at a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan.

Péter Szijjártó emphasized the importance of positive dynamics in bilateral relations and high-level reciprocal visits, the press service of the Armenian government reported.

Pashinyan emphasized the importance of the Armenian-Hungarian dialogue and its consistent development in different directions, and the steps to deepen cooperation in such areas as economy, education, culture and aviation.

The interlocutors discussed other issues related to Armenia-European Union relations and regional cooperation.

The Armenian Prime Minister touched upon the forced deportation of more than 100 thousand of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing policy and the humanitarian situation, as well as presented the steps undertaken by his government for the solution of the existing problems. 

About Armenian-Hungarian relations

Armenia terminated diplomatic relations with Hungary in 2012 after Budapest extradited to Azerbaijan Ramil Safarov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Hungary for the murder of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan. Safarov was pardoned in his home country by President Aliyev.

On December 1, 2022, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Hungary agreed to restore full diplomatic relations. In May of this year - after 11 years of absence of diplomatic relations - the countries appointed non-resident ambassadors: Anna Maria Szikó (residence: in Tbilisi) was appointed to serve also as Hungary's ambassador to Armenia, and Ashot Smbatyan (part-time ambassador to Georgia, residence in Tbilisi) was appointed as Armenia's ambassador to Hungary. -0-