Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, arrived in Turkmenistan on a two-day official visit on Thursday, 8 June.
The delegation accompanying Orban includes Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Culture and Innovation Janos Cak, Minister of Energy Csaba Lantos and Minister of Economic Development Marton Nagy.
On the first day of the visit, Orban was received by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
During the conversation, Berdimuhamedov noted that he warmly recalls his visit to Hungary in June 2014, during which a joint statement was adopted that defined the main directions of the Turkmen-Hungarian partnership.
In turn, Orban noted that in Hungary, as in the whole world, they follow with great interest the rapid development of modern Turkmenistan, which has been confidently following the course of cardinal reforms and progressive transformations in recent years, and also highly appreciate the peaceful foreign policy pursued by the country, based on the principles of neutrality.
Further, the parties discussed the main directions of bilateral cooperation. Thus, in the political and diplomatic sphere, according to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, it is necessary to continue the interaction of foreign ministries in order to coordinate efforts to promote the initiatives of Turkmenistan and Hungary in the international arena, primarily within the framework of the UN and other organizations.
“At the present time of serious changes in the world, it is important that the opinion of each country is taken into account when solving complex global challenges and regional issues,” Arkadag Berdimuhamedov said, emphasizing that Turkmenistan has been implementing its foreign policy course based on the principles of positive neutrality for about thirty years.
Sovereign Turkmenistan pursues an active foreign policy aimed at achieving peace and harmony, expanding friendly and fraternal relations with all interested partners, primarily neighboring nations, as well as creating conditions for the socio-economic progress of the region.
The trade and economic sphere was identified as the second important direction of the Turkmen-Hungarian partnership. Among the promising areas are trade, energy, industrial cooperation, logistics, agriculture and the private sector.
Speaking about the energy sector, which forms the foundation of any economy, Chairman of Halk Maslahaty noted the coincidence of the positions of the two countries on the issue of reliable and stable transit of energy sources and its role in ensuring sustainable development and international cooperation.
Hungary has twice co-sponsored UN General Assembly resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan in this area.
As noted, Turkmenistan, which has enormous reserves of natural gas, is open to mutually beneficial cooperation and is ready for a more detailed discussion of this topic.
“Our country, which occupies an advantageous geographical position, also attaches great importance to cooperation in the transport sector, the expansion of the accompanying communication infrastructure and the creation of transit and transport corridors, primarily in the East-West direction,” Arkadag continued.
Healthcare, in particular the pharmaceutical industry, was identified as another key vector of partnership, taking into account the extensive experience of Hungary, which is one of the twenty largest exporters of pharmaceutical products in the world.
As it was noted, about 150 medicines and medical devices manufactured in Hungary are registered in Turkmenistan today. Successful cooperation has been established with the Hungarian company “Gedeon Richter”, which has its office in Turkmenistan.
In this regard, a proposal was made to create joint facilities in Turkmenistan for the production of medicines and medical devices.
The cultural and humanitarian sphere occupies a significant place in bilateral relations. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the Hungarian side to take part in the events on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Makhtumkuli poet.
Sports and education are also important areas of interaction.
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In honor of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a dinner was given on behalf of Arkadag Berdimuhamedov.
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Today, on 9 June, Orban will be received by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Following the meeting a set of bilateral documents on cooperation in a number of areas will be signed. ///nCa, 9 June 2023 [photo credit – Miniszterelnok.hu]
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