Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan and Hungary have a great capacity for expanding bilateral ties, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations, Co-chairman of the Azerbaijani-Hungarian Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation Peter Szijjarto said.

Szijjarto, who is on an official visit to Baku, made the remarks at a meeting with Azerbaijani Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev on November 3.

Mustafayev said the relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect and fruitful cooperation.

"Azerbaijan and Hungary are successfully developing relations in the political, economic and cultural spheres," he said. "Until now, the two countries signed a number of agreements in various fields. The trade turnover between our countries has increased in 2014."

The presidents' mutual visits play an important role in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary, he said.

Mustafayev said that President Ilham Aliyev will soon pay an official visit to Hungary.

He said that a high-level visit will give a new impetus to the development of cooperation between the two countries.

Szijjarto expressed satisfaction with the visit to Azerbaijan and the development of cooperation between the two countries.

The minister stressed that there is a great capacity for expanding relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary in the field of pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, and water management.

Hungarian delegation visits SOFAZ

The Hungarian delegation also met with Executive Director of the Azerbaijani State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) Shahmar Movsumov.

The sides discussed the current state and prospects of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary. They also exchanged views on opportunities for SOFAZ's making investment in Hungary.

Azerbaijan-Hungary cultural relations

Cultural relations between the two countries were also discussed during a meeting with Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev.

Szijjarto said Azerbaijan and Hungary enjoy strong relations in a variety of fields, including cultural one.

Garayev spoke of the international cultural events, including forums, conferences, festivals and exhibitions held in Azerbaijan.

He highlighted the third Baku International Theatre Festival, adding the festival would be attended by cultural and art figures and representatives of theatre collectives from all over the world.

Szijjarto briefed the minister on the activities of cultural institutions of Hungary, and expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries in this field would be expanded even further.