The Chair of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Hungary to Azerbaijan Victor Szederkényi on 16 October.

Welcoming the visitor, Chair Gafarova stressed the rich history of the relations between our countries, expressed her satisfaction with the current high ebb of the Azerbaijani-Hungarian ties and underlined the tremendous role that the interaction between the two states’ leaders played in them.

The Chair then spoke of the interparliamentary ties and mentioned the contribution to the advancement of the relations between the two countries made by the friendship groups active in both parliaments. Two-way visits are on hold due to the pandemic currently but the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the progress of the bilateral relations will grow yet further with the visits’ resumption after the pandemic is over, in Mrs Gafarova’s opinion.

The Speaker also mentioned the recent letter from the Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament  László Kövér stating serious concerns about the latest frontline developments and especially about those that had caused civilian deaths. Speaker Gafarova expressed a hope that the Hungarian colleagues would continue their categorical support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Sahiba Gafarova supplied the visitor with a broad overview of the history of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Highland Garabagh and, in particular, mentioned the Armenian provocations along the frontline and the artillery and missile attacks of the occupiers on the towns and provinces of Azerbaijan aiming civilian population and infrastructure. These assaults that had lasted since 27 September demonstrated the true criminal nature of the military-political regime ruling in Armenia, Mrs Gafarova commented. In conclusion, she informed the Ambassador of today’s Armenian missile attack on the Ordubad Province of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and said that that attack proved once more that Armenia would resort to any means to  expand the geography of the conflict. The international community ought to condemn Armenia strongly for her military crimes and urge her to refrain from such acts henceforth, according to the Speaker.

Victor Szederkényi said his thanks for the sincere meeting and the detailed information before agreeing that the high level of the relations between our countries was commendable. He noted that Azerbaijan and Hungary supported each other on many issues and emphasised that Hungary had always supported the just position of our country with regards for resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Highland Garabagh. Mr Szederkényi also mentioned that our country saw eye to eye the need to intensify the international counterterrorism and counter-extremism.

Steps to be taken to broaden the cultural, educational and academic ties between our countries, implementation of student exchange programmes and strengthening bilateral humanitarian cooperation were discussed at the meeting, too.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis