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The war in Ukraine and energy security issues were at the center of the talks between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Bertalan Havasi, head of the Prime Minister’s Press Office, told MTI.
President Erdogan thanked Hungary for the solidarity and help shown in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey, and particularly highlighted the heroic efforts of Hungarian search and rescue teams.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, it was pointed out that Hungary is a neighbor of Ukraine, and Turkey is a neighbor by sea, and both countries have an interest in a just peace as soon as possible, which should be achieved through diplomatic means.
Viktor Orbán also asked the Turkish President to continue to be a reliable partner in the transit of gas supplies to the east, which is crucial for Hungary’s energy security.
The Hungarian Prime Minister traveled to Ankara, Turkey, on Thursday to attend the summit of the Organization of Turkic States. Besides the summit, he also held bilateral talks with the Turkish and Uzbek President.
In his speech at the summit, Orbán underlined that it was important to make it clear that the global majority wants peace. He also expressed the view that what we are seeing in Europe is more than war, because in fact “the whole of Europe is being reshuffled in power relations,” and this will also have an impact on the Turkish world. He added that another danger they see from Hungary is that there are processes in the world economy that could lead to a re-blockade.
He said that the emergence of blocks in the world economy is against Hungary’s interests, and that Hungary sees its future not in blocks, but in collectivity and interconnection. Orbán emphasized that the Turkic states could play a key role in this, because here we are European, Caucasian and Central Asian countries, connected to each other on the basis of mutual respect, setting a good example for the whole world.
He underscored that Hungary supports the development of economic, trade, and energy links with the Turkish states to a new dimension, adding that
Hungary would also like to participate in the Turkish Investment Fund as soon as possible, and the country has the necessary financial means at its disposal.
The prime minister expressed Hungary’s condolences for the dramatic earthquakes that hit Turkey, and expressed his appreciation to those who had bravely worked to save people. He stressed that Hungary’s search and rescue teams had joined their Turkish counterparts in the first days and had managed to save many people.
He confirmed that Hungary had handed over 100 tons of hospital equipment to the Turkish disaster management on Thursday, and also indicated that Turkey could count on Hungary for reconstruction. Orbán said that seeing Turkey’s tremendous development over the past 23 years and the “fantastic progress” made by the country over the past 10 years under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he was confident that the reconstruction would be successful.
Photo: MTI/KKM/Király Márton
“Following consultations with the Turkish authorities, this large consignment includes ventilators, bandages, infusion equipment, and medicines, which will contribute to the successful care of the injured and sick,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in connection with the aid. He emphasized that international cooperation is needed for effective action, and Hungary supports the agreement on the coordination of disaster management activities within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, and intends to participate in this cooperation.
Featured photo via MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher