Hungary’s relations with Armenia developing after decade-long freeze

Speaker of Parliament László Kövér met his Armenian counterpart, Alen Simonyan, in Budapest on Thursday.

At the meeting held in Parliament, Kövér said the two countries shared values such as their Christian traditions and commitment to international peace and regional stability, according to parliament’s press chief Zoltán Szilágyi. That was a good foundation for developing cooperation, Kövér said. “Another link is that Hungary and Armenia have had to fight for their culture, faith and survival for centuries,” he said.

Hungary has been increasing funding for the Armenian minority continuously since 2010, and the government sees them as an important link between the two countries, he said.

“Hungary recognises and welcomes Armenia’s openness towards strengthening ties with the European Union and its commitment to economic integration into the EU, and we are ready to further that cause during Hungary’s presidency and beyond,” Kövér said.

He also welcomed Azeri and Armenian efforts to smooth conflicts in the region, adding: “We will do everything we can to achieve durable and fair peace.” The stability of the southern Caucasus and cooperation between its peoples is of primary importance for the whole of Europe, he added.

Simonyan thanked Hungary for hosting summer camps for 143 Armenian refugee children this year, as well as for helping Armenian flood victims. Kövér accepted his invitation to visit Armenia, the statement said.

Read also: