Armenia’s Foreign Minister Oskanian was on an official visit to Hungary at the invitation of Hungary’s Foreign Minister Mrs. Kinga Göncz.

During the one-day visit on October 30, Minister Oskanian’s held a lengthy meeting with Minister Göncz. Their meeting began with an acknowledgement of the deep and warm historical and cultural relations between the two nations.

Minister Oskanian spoke about the well of good-feeling and the favorable conditions created by the authorities of Hungary for the development and strengthening of Hungary’s Armenian minority, one of 13 registered minority groups. The two ministers agreed that the Armenians of Hungary can serve as a bridge between the two countries and serve as a catalyst for the  deepening of bilateral relations with Hungary in all spheres. 

The two also discussed bilateral relations and the possibilities of cooperation  especially within the Armenia-EU Neighborhood Policy Action plan. Ms. Göncz stated that the interest toward the South Caucasus states has considerably increased and underscored that Budapest has encouraged the efforts of the EU.

The two discussed the possibilities of activating economic cooperation within the spheres of pharmaceuticals, information technologies and tourism as priority spheres where there is tangible potential for collaboration. In this context, they agreed to further develop the legal field between the two countries.

The Ministers also exchanged views about international issues, regional developments and the relations with neighbors. Hungary’s Foreign Minister presented her viewpoint on Kosovo and Armenia’s Foreign Minister spoke about the the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process.

Speaking about the murder carried out by an Azerbaijani officer of an Armenian officer in 2004, Minister Oskanian expressed appreciation for the fair decisions of Hungary’s legal system and also stated that the demands of Azerbaijani side to transfer the criminal to Azerbaijan are unacceptable for Armenia.

In the afternoon, Minister Oskanian addressed Central European University in Budapest. The representatives of embassies accredited in Hungary and representatives of the Armenian community in Hungary, as well as students, lecturers and journalists were in the audience.

In the evening Minister Oskanian met with members of the National Self-Government Union of the Armenians of Hungary.

On October 31, the Minister visited the National Parliament of Hungary and met with Zsolt Nemeth, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Hungary Minorities Abroad Committee.