Orbán: Improved cooperation between the West and Russia in Hungary’s interest

Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest on Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that Hungary’s interest lies in the improvement of cooperation between the West and Russia.

During a joint press conference with the Russian President, Orbán also said that Hungary benefits from positive relations between western and eastern Europe, NATO, and Russia, Hungary Today reports.

The two leaders touched on a wide variety of topics which included trade relations between Hungary and Russian, stability in the Middle East, the importance of an improved relationship between NATO and Russia, as well as the two countries’ commitment to protecting Christians around the globe. 

“For several years now, we have had the practice of holding an annual Russian-Hungarian meeting at the highest level,” Prime Minister Orbán stated.

 “Looking back, I have to say that these [annual meetings have seen]successful and sometimes less successful years. This last year belongs to the former category,” the Hungarian Prime Minister added.

With respect to economic cooperation between the two countries, Orbán said 2018 had been the first year that economic relations between Russia and Hungary had grown since EU sanctions against Russia were imposed. Citing statistical data, Orbán mentioned trade between the two countries had exceeded 6 billion dollars and was closing in on six and a half billion.

Concerning geopolitics, Orbán argued that based on historical experience, if relations between the East and the West are bad, Hungary always loses. It’s precisely because of this that Orbán would like to forge a more positive relationship between NATO and Russia.

“Improving the NATO-Russia relationship is one area where we have political cooperation with Russia,” Orbán said, adding that both Hungary and Russia have a shared interest in stopping migration and achieving stability in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Orbán also highlighted the common desire held by both Hungary and Russia to protect Christian communities in the Middle East. The Hungarian PM told reporters that the two leaders would be meeting with Christian religious leaders from the Middle East following the press conference.