Viktor Orbán Holds Talks in Cairo

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed the war in Ukraine and illegal migration in Cairo on Tuesday.

The Hungarian Prime Minister’s press chief told news agency MTI that both sides stressed that Hungary’s relations with Egypt are now 95 years old, and that cooperation has never been as good as it has been in recent years.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Orbán stressed that Hungary is interested in peace, and is doing everything it can to reduce the risk of war escalation. “We are also prepared to engage in disputes with the Western world because we want a diplomatic solution, a ceasefire, and peace talks,” he added. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed that the conflict should be steered towards calm instead of escalation.

The Hungarian Prime Minister called Egypt a strong bastion of the line of defense against illegal migration, and said that “For its work, Europe owes Egypt its thanks, respect, and support.”

President El-Sisi advocated the strengthening of economic relations, saying that Hungarian companies are welcome to invest in Egypt in areas such as agriculture, food, energy, and tourism. The Egyptian head of state thanked Hungary for the fact that 200 Egyptian students are now receiving scholarships to study in Hungary every year.

A strategic partnership agreement is has been concluded between Hungary and Egypt, including mutually beneficial cooperation in the nuclear industry, higher education, the economy, and energy supply, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Cairo earlier on Tuesday.

He announced that inter-company negotiations will be launched on the purchase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Egypt, so that it can be included in the Hungarian supply from 2026 onwards, following the development of infrastructure in Greece, thereby contributing to guaranteeing Hungary’s energy security.

Featured photo via MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán