Orbán: Hungary interested in stable, strong Turkey

Hungary’s interests lie in a strong and stable Turkey with a clear leadership that is capable of enforcing the country’s interests, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Ankara on Friday.

Orbán and several of his ministers took part in a meeting of the highest-level strategic council which officials said in effect amounted to a joint Hungary-Turkey government session.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Orbán welcomed Turkey’s recent constitutional changes. Though this is a Turkish domestic affair, the changes improve Turkey’s ability to protect Europe and to be of help to Hungary, Orbán said.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told the same press conference that although Hungarian-Turkish political relations were good, trade relations could be further intensified.

Orbán said in response to a question about the progress of Turkey’s European Union accession process that the EU needs Turkey.

“Since we have started the negotiations, they must be properly carried through. Hungary does not support any form of suspension or cancellation; our position is that a historic agreement must be made with Turkey,” Orbán added.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI