Meeting with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

On May 6, during his official visit to Hungary, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. The ministers held talks first in a private meeting and then in an expanded format, culminating in the signing of key documents aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

The agreements signed included an economic cooperation pact between the governments of Armenia and Hungary and a 2024-2025 cooperation program between their respective foreign ministries. These agreements provide a framework for the establishment of an intergovernmental commission and set the stage for regular political consultations.

Following the talks, the ministers addressed the media at a joint press conference. Mirzoyan thanked Hungary for its hospitality and noted the importance of the visit, which was a reciprocal one to Szijjártó's visit to Yerevan last fall. He highlighted the progress made since the start of their diplomatic engagement a year and a half ago, which has led to the establishment of resident embassies in both capitals.

Mirzoyan also emphasized the importance of economic ties, citing a recent joint business conference that allowed business leaders from both countries to explore new areas of cooperation. He praised Wizz Air's launch of direct flights between Yerevan and Budapest, anticipating increased tourism and business exchanges.

Turning to broader regional initiatives, Mirzoyan spoke about Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" initiative, which aims to open up and develop transportation and infrastructure links in the South Caucasus to facilitate the flow of passengers, cargo and services. He linked this initiative to broader efforts to provide renewable energy to EU member states, reflecting Armenia's desire to integrate more closely with European economic programs.
On the topic of peace in the region, Mirzoyan reiterated Armenia's commitment to achieving lasting stability in the South Caucasus, including through negotiations aimed at normalizing relations with Azerbaijan based on principles such as mutual recognition of territorial integrity and border demarcation in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.

Mirzoyan concluded his remarks by expressing optimism about the role of the forthcoming Hungarian EU Presidency, hoping for further progress in Armenia-EU relations and successful implementation of joint initiatives. He thanked Szijjártó for the warm welcome and expressed his positive opinion on the steps taken to strengthen Armenian-Hungarian relations.

Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary

During his official visit, Ararat Mirzoyan met with Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén. This significant meeting marked the resumption of diplomatic engagement after a fifteen-year hiatus and was seen as a revitalizing step for both nations.

Discussions between Mirzoyan and Semjén focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation in various fields. Both sides acknowledged the recent momentum of high-level exchanges and expressed optimism about their potential to advance the multi-faceted agenda of Armenia-Hungary relations. Mirzoyan pointed out that "there is still a great untapped potential both in terms of political dialogue and especially in terms of economic relations, and there is a willingness to take steps to register continuous results".

Education, cultural tourism and people-to-people contacts were highlighted as key areas for development. The initiation of direct flights between Yerevan and Budapest was noted as an important facilitator in this regard. Mirzoyan specifically mentioned the role of the Department of Armenian Studies at the Peter Pazman Catholic University in Budapest, as well as the existing Memoranda of Understanding for the years 2023-2025, which support educational exchanges, scholarships, and the exchange of academic experiences.

Turning to the broader regional and European contexts, Mirzoyan and Semjén discussed opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the European Union, particularly in light of Hungary's upcoming EU Presidency. The Armenian Minister expressed the hope that this period would facilitate the implementation of the new agenda of the RA-EU partnership.
Regarding regional peace, Mirzoyan briefed on the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, stressing the crucial importance of principles such as territorial integrity and border recognition. He also introduced the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative, a program aimed at enhancing regional economic interdependence and connectivity, which offers new opportunities for development throughout the South Caucasus.

Meeting with the Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly

Mirzoyan met with István Jakab, Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
Discussions highlighted the role of interparliamentary relations in advancing the bilateral agenda, and emphasized the importance of initiatives undertaken by friendly groups in both parliaments. Mirzoyan noted the renewed efforts and mutual determination to strengthen ties rooted in historical and civilizational commonalities, following the recent dialogues aimed at restoring diplomatic relations.

Both sides expressed enthusiasm for exploring new avenues of cooperation through high-level visits and joint initiatives. They also discussed future plans to advance these goals.

A significant portion of their discussion was devoted to deepening people-to-people contacts, particularly in the areas of culture, science, and education. The launch of direct flights between Yerevan and Budapest was noted as a key development that would facilitate these interactions. In addition, the "Stipendium Hungaricum" scholarship program was highlighted as a useful tool for promoting educational exchanges.

The care shown by the Hungarian people and government to the Armenian community, officially recognized as a national minority in Hungary, was also mentioned, underscoring the strong ties between the two nations.
Minister Mirzoyan also briefed Deputy Speaker Jakab on Armenia's efforts to achieve a stable peace in the South Caucasus, outlining the regional security challenges and the country's vision for a peaceful solution.