Good Hungary-Georgia ties should promote economic cooperation, says Orbán

Tbilisi, April 21 (MTI) – The good ties between Hungary and Georgia should be used to promote economic cooperation, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Tbilisi on Friday.

Orbán spoke after talks with Giorgi Kvirikashvili, his Georgian counterpart, and said that despite “such good political ties” the two countries “cannot boast” of spectacular trade or investment figures. “We need to improve that,” he added. He said the goal was to “give an impetus” to economic and trade ties to “turn potential into reality”.

Hungary’s Eximbank has opened a pool of 90 million dollars to provide loans aimed at promoting further ties, Orbán said, adding that the initial fund could be increased if necessary. He also said that businessmen in the Hungarian delegation were primarily interested in opportunities in the areas of water management, waste water treatment, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food processing and construction.

Hungary greatly appreciates Georgia’s “consistent foreign policy” and supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognised borders, he said. Hungary also supports that “frozen conflicts” should be settled through negotiations, Orbán added. He also noted Hungary’s support for Georgia’s endeavours in seeking a visa-free status with the European Union and for the country’s European integration. “The EU is not too enthusiastic about the idea of enlargement” but its new members “should maintain openness and support countries that want to join”, he said.