Press Statements by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Budapest, The Gulf Observer: On May 20, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary made joint press statements in Budapest, highlighting the strategic and friendly relationship between their nations. The statements followed a meeting between the two leaders, discussing bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and shared challenges.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Statement
Prime Minister Orbán began by warmly welcoming President Aliyev and emphasizing the longstanding partnership between Hungary and Azerbaijan. He recalled that for over 20 years, President Aliyev has been a steadfast ally, particularly in times of crisis, whether in diplomacy, energy security, or other fields.
Orbán remarked that the upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which is being hosted in Hungary, is a historical moment, as Hungary is not a full member but an observer of the organization. Despite this, Hungary is honored to host this important event, especially in light of the increasing challenges in international diplomacy.
He also discussed Hungary’s economic struggles due to the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine, which has already cost Hungary over 20 billion euros. He criticized the European Union’s response to the conflict and its economic repercussions, including the energy crisis that has affected European markets. Orbán pointed out that Hungary has managed to maintain energy relations with Russia, with support from Turkic-speaking countries like Azerbaijan, ensuring energy security and stability.
Additionally, he acknowledged the role of Azerbaijan in securing Hungary’s gas supplies and expressed gratitude for the continued support. Orbán further emphasized the importance of peace in resolving international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, noting that Hungary and Azerbaijan are both committed to resolving disputes through dialogue rather than warfare.
On the topic of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, Orbán congratulated President Aliyev on the progress made towards a peace treaty, expressing hope that an agreement would soon be signed, marking a significant milestone for regional stability.
President Ilham Aliyev’s Statement
President Aliyev reciprocated Prime Minister Orbán’s warm welcome and expressed his gratitude for Hungary’s ongoing support. He noted that the regular visits between the two nations, with the most recent exchange occurring in 2023, demonstrate the strong and evolving partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary.
Aliyev emphasized the similarities between the two countries, including both being landlocked nations facing geopolitical challenges. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s own experience of war, referring to the Second Karabakh War, which ended the 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. The war, he noted, was fought within the framework of international law and resulted in the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty.
Turning to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, President Aliyev confirmed that Azerbaijan had taken the initiative in proposing a peace agreement, which Armenia had largely accepted with certain amendments. He stressed the necessity of removing territorial claims in Armenia’s constitution and dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group, which he claimed no longer serves its purpose.
Aliyev also addressed the growing energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary. Hungarian companies have stakes in major oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan, such as the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah Deniz fields. He reassured Hungary that Azerbaijan would continue to supply gas to meet the country’s demand, with the prospect of expanding energy collaboration further.
Looking ahead, Aliyev shared Azerbaijan’s ambitious plans for green energy production, with a target of generating 6,000 megawatts of green energy over the next five years. This will contribute to both Azerbaijan’s energy security and its support for Europe’s green energy transition.
Concluding his remarks, President Aliyev praised Hungary’s independent foreign policy and the leadership of Prime Minister Orbán. He acknowledged the challenges of pursuing such a policy within the European Union and commended Orbán for consistently prioritizing Hungary’s national interests.
Conclusion
The meeting between President Aliyev and Prime Minister Orbán underscored the enduring partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, particularly in the areas of energy, economic cooperation, and regional security. Both leaders expressed their commitment to further strengthening ties and working together to address global challenges through mutual support and dialogue.
