It is a privilege to be the first Hungarian prime minister on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Bishkek on Tuesday after talks with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.
“Hungary is a country of ten million people who are determined to develop their country and also to preserve its sovereignty. In this respect they are similar to your people,” Orban told a press conference after the talks.
Hungarians are considered the westernmost eastern people in Europe, which used to be considered an insult but Hungary was always proud to foster the traditions stemming from its ancient origin, he added.
“Hungary is a successful country but … we are after all surrounded by strangers and have no related people in the region.
As a result, Hungary has a strong will to nurture its cultural, intellectual and geographical roots,” Orbán said.
After signing a joint statement with Orbán, Jeenbekov noted that Kyrgyzstan had established diplomatic relations with Hungary 26 years ago and Hungarians have always been trustful partners. Kyrgyzstan is ready to support Hungary’s endeavours at all international forums, he added.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen economic, tourism, scientific and cultural cooperation and a tourism agreement was also signed.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told MTI earlier that the economies of the Central Asian countries are developing at a fast rate and reaping the rewards of this boom is in Hungary’s interest.
HUNGARY READY TO ADVANCE COOPERATION WITH TURKIC STATES, SAYS ORBÁN IN KYRGYZSTAN
The minister said that the two countries had signed a tourism cooperation agreement. He also noted the 65 million dollar credit line Hungary has opened to promote cooperation between the two countries’ businesses as well as a deal on increasing the number of scholarships for Kyrgyz students studying in Hungarian universities from the current 25 to 75, read more details HERE.
Photo: MTI
Source: MTI
