Over the weekend of the national holiday, Hungary welcomed numerous foreign state leaders who engaged in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Most of them also visited the National Athletics Centre, which is currently hosting the World Athletics Championships.
On Sunday, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, began his diplomatic tour by arriving in Hungary. His talks with Viktor Orbán focused on enhancing energy cooperation between the two nations and the approval of Sweden’s NATO membership.
On the same day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also arrived in Budapest. During his discussions with Prime Minister Orbán, the focus was on reviewing the political and economic ties between Hungary and Serbia, assessing the EU integration status in the Western Balkans, strategies against illegal migration, and joint energy and infrastructure projects.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov visited the Prime Minister’s office in the Carmelite Monastery. This event highlighted the recent opening of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Budapest and the initiation of visa issuance at the Hungarian Embassy in Bishkek.
Still at the Carmelite Monastery, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán engaged in talks with Željka Cvijanović, the Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Milorad Dodik, President of the Republika Srpska. Orbán emphasised the excellent relations between Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republika Srpska, underscoring the potential for further cooperation as evidenced by ongoing projects. The leaders discussed strategies to combat illegal immigration and the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in ensuring stability within Europe.
On Sunday, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, met with the Hungarian PM to discuss energy security concerns. Ongoing negotiations with Turkmenistan revolve around a comprehensive energy cooperation agreement, a crucial aspect of which involves positioning Hungary as one of the potential recipients for future Turkmen gas exports. During their meeting, the potential for untapped collaboration in areas such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food, water, education, and culture was highlighted.
Viktor Orbán also held bilateral talks with Rustam Minnikhanov, the leader of Tatarstan, on Saturday evening. The discussions acknowledged the progress achieved through joint efforts and expressed readiness to continue cooperation in sectors like agriculture. Orbán emphasised Hungary’s commitment to maintaining cultural, scientific, and higher education collaboration, especially within the framework of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, which welcomes students from Tatarstan.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited Hungary on Saturday. Orbán congratulated him on his electoral victory in July and expressed contentment with the expanding Hungarian-Uzbek strategic partnership, particularly evidenced by the entry of leading Hungarian bank OTP into the Uzbek financial market and the establishment of direct flights between the two capitals.
On the same day, Orbán received former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, who is the President of the Slovenian Democratic Party, the strongest opposition party. The discussions covered the global political landscape, emphasising peace in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The parties also addressed the responsibilities of European conservative Christian parties in preparation for the 2024 European Parliament elections.
Concluding the weekend, on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hosted distinguished foreign dignitaries at the National Athletics Centre, who had come to Budapest to celebrate the national holiday and participate in the World Athletics Championships. Among the guests were international state leaders, politicians, and influential business figures invited to witness the stadium events.
On Monday, diplomatic meetings continued at the Carmelite Monastery, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcoming former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Their discussions revolved around Hungarian-Austrian relations and the prospects for peace amid the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. European public affairs and the political representation of national and Christian values were also subjects of discourse, with a particular focus on the upcoming European Parliament elections.
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Hungarian Conservative/MTI
