Hungarian FM inaugurates new embassy complex in Bratislava

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó inaugurated the new headquarters of Hungary’s diplomatic mission in Bratislava on Tuesday.

After the two-year project’s completion, the complex comprises an embassy, a consular office, a trade mission and a cultural institute in a rebuilt historic building in the Slovak capital’s old town.

Addressing the inauguration, Szijjártó called Slovakia a friend and important ally. He added that the Visegrád Group (V4), to which both countries belong, “is Europe’s most successful alliance”.

The new headquarters duly reflects how highly Hungary values ties with Slovakia and how the two countries are bound by links on multiple levels, Szijjártó said.

The V4 has demonstrated its economic and political strength, the foreign minister said, calling the group “an engine of economic growth” of the European Union and a politically influential player in the bloc.

Hungary and Slovakia have stabilised their ties, paving the way to resolving contested issues, he said.

The two countries have opened several new border crossing points and connected their gas pipeline networks, he noted, adding that the construction of a new Danube bridge connecting Komárom and Komarno is under way. Annual bilateral trade amounts to close to 10 billion euros, he said.

Ivan Korcok, Slovakia’s state secretary for foreign affairs, praised bilateral relations as “excellent” and prevalent in all areas.

Szijjártó and Korcok held bilateral talks after the ceremony.

featured image: MTI

Source: MTI