Minister Szijjártó noted Hungarian oil and gas company MOL’s significant investments in Azerbaijan as well as drugmaker Richter’s increased presence on the Azeri market.
The president said “excellent bilateral relations” with strategic partners are even more valuable during the economic and energy crisis caused by the Ukraine-Russia war.
The prime minister said the two countries have decided to strengthen cooperation because the international environment “is more dangerous than ever”.
The Hungarian government was hopeful that Azeri gas could start contributing to Hungary’s energy security as soon as possible.
Minister Szijjártó said gaining access to Azeri gas via southern Europe from the end of next year would bolster Hungary’s energy security.
Péter Szijjártó said bilateral cooperation, built on strong foundations, was entering a “new phase” offering good opportunities to Hungarian firms in reconstruction projects in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Bilateral ties in energy policy, education and trade were on the agenda during talks between PM Orbán and Sahiba Gafarova.
During an official visit to Baku in Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the next step in advancing Hungarian-Azeri relations is boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.