Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said cooperation between Hungary and Turkey is a "great help in overcoming difficulties".
Following a meeting of the Hungarian-Turkish economic mixed committee in Budapest on Monday, the foreign minister said that without cooperation with Turkey, Hungary’s energy security would not be guaranteed and the country would not have achieved several of its economic records last year. At a joint press conference with Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, the minister said central and eastern Europe are facing enormous difficulties due to the war in Ukraine and the related sanctions. “The region is seeing uncertainty, brutal price increases and supply issues both in the economy and energy supply,” the minister said. “The cooperation between Turkey and Hungary has been and will continue to be … a great help in overcoming these challenges.” As a neighbour of Ukraine, Hungary’s interest lies in peace being achieved there as soon as possible, Minister Szijjártó said. “Peace is needed, and peace requires talks, which requires mediators,” Minister Szijjártó said, expressing Hungary’s appreciation of Turkey’s successful mediation in the resumption of grain exports.