Hungary and Kazakhstan support an immediate end to the Russian-Ukrainian war

The Foreign Ministers of Hungary and Kazakhstan expressed their support for an immediate end to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, who is on a visit to Kazakhstan, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu in the capital Astana.

The ministers, who came together first in person and then with their delegations in an extended meeting, held a joint press conference after the meeting.

Kazakh Foreign Minister Nurtleu said they agreed to strengthen political dialogue to enhance strategic relations.

Nurtleu drew attention to the goal of increasing the mutual trade volume to 1 billion dollars and said, "In 20 years, Hungary's direct investment in our economy has exceeded 370 million dollars. We are currently implementing 16 joint projects."

Noting that agreements were reached during the meeting to improve bilateral relations, Nurtleu said, "We agreed on issues such as the construction of a multi-module terminal in Budapest to increase the export of oil and petroleum products to Hungary and the opening of branches of Hungarian banks in Kazakhstan."

The Kazakh Minister also announced that a joint investment fund will soon be established between the two countries.

Pointing out that the relations between Kazakhstan and Hungary are not only numerical and are strengthened by cultural ties based on brotherhood, Nurtleu said that today the two countries have agreed to launch joint projects in the field of science, as well as a memorandum of understanding between their diplomatic academies.

Nurtleu noted that Kazakhstan and Hungary have similar foreign policy positions and expressed hope in the process launched to stop the Russian-Ukrainian war and readiness to support the negotiated settlement of the crisis.

Nurtleu also stated that the two countries are active members of the Organization of Turkic States (CIS) and said, "This year, for the first time, members of the Organization of Turkic States will come together in Europe at the summit in Budapest. I informed that Kazakhstan is ready to provide the necessary contribution to the summit."

Nurtleu underlined that they were happy to see their Hungarian brothers in their ancestral homeland and said: "We have just talked with you (Peter Szijjarto) about the meaning of ancestral homeland. Our countries have the same dreams and values. Therefore, we are ready to work actively and strengthen our strategic partnership."

"It is in our common interest to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible"

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjarto stated that they held comprehensive talks on bilateral relations and the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary and Kazakhstan are on the side of peace and said: "Respecting international rights and principles is our priority."

Stating that both countries suffered losses from the Russian-Ukrainian War, Szijjarto said, "It is in our common interest that the war in Ukraine ends as soon as possible."

Szijjarto emphasized that they supported the dialogue between Russia and the US on Ukraine and said, "As Hungary, we believed that the channels of communication on this issue should be left open. We were called 'Russian propagandists' because we stood by diplomatic dialogue. It seems that we were right and we are right now."

Szijjarto said that they hope that US President Donald Trump's efforts in this regard will be successful and added: "The supporters of war in Europe are uniting. Today in Paris, those who have been fueling the fire of the war in Ukraine for the last three years are meeting."

The Hungarian Minister expressed readiness to share technologies and experience in the field of nuclear energy with Kazakhstan, which has decided to build a nuclear power plant.

Szijjarto added that the parties are preparing to sign a strategic agreement for the Hungarian oil and gas company MOL to take part in the exploration of new oil fields in Kazakhstan.