Speaking in Ankara, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that besides the issue of war in Europe, the whole of the continent’s power dynamics were shifting and this would impact the Turkic world.
The prime minister said that Hungary also sees a danger of the re-emergence of global economic blocs. This goes against Hungary’s interests, as the country sees its future in collectiveness and connections, PM Orbán said. Turkic states can play a key role in this, he said, arguing that European, Caucasus and Central Asian countries, linked by mutual respect, could set an example to the rest of the world. Hungary is in favour of a new phase in economic, trade and energy links with the Turkic states, PM Orbán said. It wants to participate in the Turkic investment fund as soon as possible, he said, adding that the necessary finances were available.
PM Orbán expressed his condolences on Hungary’s behalf over the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey last month, praising the courageous efforts of rescue workers. Hungary also sent search and rescue teams to the earthquake-hit areas in the first days after the disaster, who managed to save many people, he added. The prime minister noted that Hungary on Thursday delivered 100 tonnes of hospital equipment to Turkey's disaster management authority, adding that Turkey could also count on Hungary when it came to the reconstruction efforts. PM Orbán said that seeing the development Turkey had gone through over the last 23 years and the “fantastic progress” it had made over the last decade under Erdogan’s leadership, he was certain that the reconstruction would be successful. On the occasion of Hungary’s recent March 15 national holiday, PM Orbán noted that after the Germans and Russians crushed the revolution of 1848, hundreds of army officers, scientists and politicians fled to Turkey where they were welcomed.