Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says

Hungary and Türkiye form a bridge between East and West, according to a statement by the presidential Sándor Palace on Thursday in connection with the visit of President Tamás Sulyok to Ankara.

Sulyok was received with military honours in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At their meeting, the presidents agreed that Hungary and Türkiye were linked by a common past, deep friendship, and a strategic alliance, confirmed by the frequency of high-level meetings.

Hungary is committed to further deepening cooperation based on mutual respect and its multifaceted partnership with Türkiye, the statement said, adding that common endeavours included energy, security policy, defence industry cooperation, as well as the further development of economic and cultural relations.

The statement noted the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season held this year, the motto of which was “A century of friendship and cooperation”, adding that its programmes provided an opportunity for further dialogue and further deepening ties between the two countries.

Photo: FB/Sulyok

Also, 2025 will be the Hungarian-Turkish Year of Science and Innovation, with joint research projects and the exchange of good innovation practices, as well as the mobility of higher education lecturers and students among its goals, the palace said.

Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union”

The Hungarian president made clear at the meeting that Hungary considers Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union” in the areas of energy security, trade, regional security, as well as in combating terrorism and illegal migration.

During the current EU presidency, Hungary highlighted the promotion of Türkiye’s accession process. Overcoming migration challenges requires the EU to support Turkiye properly and to an appropriate extent, it said.

Photo: FB/President Sulyok

Türkiye “is an indispensable player” for creating regional stability and preserving security and peace, the statement said, adding that stability of the Middle East was a common interest.

Hungary regards it as highly important that no extremist ideology or radical group takes control in the region, so attention must be paid to respecting the rights of religious communities and minorities, the palace said, adding that Hungary pays special attention to the region’s Christian communities and it provides humanitarian aid.

After the talks, the Turkish president hosted the Hungarian president and prime minister at a state dinner, and a gala concert of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season was perfored in front of around 1,900 invited guests, the statement said.

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