Katalin Novák also highlighted that Hungarians will continue to help Turkey in times of trouble.Continue reading
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will arrive in Hungary on 20 August, the Hungarian National Day, and the visit is of great importance in several respects, as it will mark the beginning of his diplomatic mission around the world. The Turkish head of state’s arrival could be a decisive factor given Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s open and strong support for him in the Turkish spring elections, Világgazdaság reports.
According to the Turkish press, Erdogan’s visit could send a message that Turkey stands by Hungary, and the President is expected to convey this message to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Reports also suggest that the Turkish leader is likely to attend the Hungarian state ceremony on 20 August.
The Hungarian press has been more nuanced, with scattered reports on the significance of Erdogan’s arrival, while the Turkish media have covered the visit in detail. According to Turkish media,
security, defense industry and economic issues could be the focus of the talks between Viktor Orbán and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Moreover, it is well known that Hungarian and Turkish diplomacy have a very close working relationship and the partnership between the two countries has been strengthened over the past decade.
Viktor Orbán and Erdogan are expected to assess the relations between the two countries. Analysts pointed out that the threats and opportunities for the two countries are the same.
Priorities are the resolution of the war in Ukraine, the process of NATO enlargement, and the development of trade and cultural relations between the two countries. Hungary is motivated to diversify its trade and energy sources, and Turkey can be a key player in achieving this.
This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Erdogan’s inauguration in the spring. Experts say Viktor Orbán’s open and strong support for the Turkish president in the elections could also be a topic of discussion. It should also be remembered that December 2023 will mark the centenary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
Turkish press reports also suggest that
the visit to Hungary is just the beginning of a high-profile diplomatic tour on which the Turkish President will meet world leaders to discuss solutions to pressing global problems.
Following his trip to Hungary, Erdogan will receive Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey at the end of August. The meeting between the two is described by the Turkish press as a historic event that could bring a breakthrough in the grain crisis. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens world food supplies, as Ukrainian markets, which are key to grain supplies, are hard to get out of. This could be resolved through Erdogan, who is seen as the only person capable of brokering a deal with Russia.
The Turkish President will travel to India for the G20 summit on 9-10 September. He will then be in the United States from 17-21 September to address the UN General Assembly. There is a strong possibility of a Biden-Erdogan summit, and the Turkish President will also meet with US business leaders.
Featured photo via MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher
