Tweet
HUNGARY, AZERBAIJAN EXPAND TRADE RELATIONS
http://asbarez.com/107214/hungary-azerbaijan-expand-trade-relations/
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto (left) with Azeri Economic
Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev in Baku
BAKU-Three months after extraditing axe-murderer Ramil Safarov to
Azerbaijan, where he was pardoned and pronounced a national hero,
Hungary opened its first ever trade office in Baku earlier this month
in hopes of advancing economic relations with the very government
that applauds ethnically motivated murder.
Safarov, who was serving a sentence in Budapest for murdering an
Armenian officer Gurgen Hayrapetian in 2004 during a NATO Partnership
for Peace program, was promoted in the Azeri Army. The White House,
Brussels and other international entities condemned the extradition
and the subsequent pardon of the axe-murderer.
"The trading house was established in Azerbaijan as the two countries
are strategic partners," said Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's foreign
minister during the opening ceremony of the office, reported AzerNews.
He said the first reason of opening the House in Baku is the strategic
cooperation between the two countries and the second is compliance
of the supply for the Hungarian economy with Azerbaijan's demand.
Szijjarto said one of the major goals of the event was to develop
cooperation between Azerbaijan and medium-sized businesses from
Hungary, which is required to further export their products to
Azerbaijan.
A Hungarian delegation headed by Szijjarto, which consisted of
economic, banking and tourism sectors' representatives, took part in
an Azerbaijani-Hungarian business forum on the same day.
Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev told
the business forum that political relations between Azerbaijan and
Hungary are at a high level and there is potential for their further
development, which is confirmed by numerous visits and meetings.
Mustafayev said that the two countries have signed some 30
documents, which creates favorable conditions for the development of
Azerbaijani-Hungarian economic relations, noting that they have the
potential for developing cooperation in investment, construction,
pharmaceuticals and other fields.
"The government support for businessmen looking to cooperate with
Hungarian companies is being guaranteed," Mustafayev said. "There is
also the necessary legal framework."
Szijjarto told the press that Hungary considers Azerbaijan as a
guarantor of Europe's energy security.
He said the Hungarian side was interested in implementing the Nabucco
gas pipeline project and Azerbaijani gas supplies to central Europe
via this route.
The Nabucco project is a priority route for delivering Caspian and in
particular, Azerbaijani gas to south-east and central Europe and one of
the main and important elements in ensuring European energy security.
Szijjarto also noted that Hungary hopes to operate direct flights
to Azerbaijan.
According to Szijjarto, the issue of running a direct flight from Baku
to Budapest is on the agenda and being discussed with the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Economic Development.
"It would be a great advantage and a step [forward] in the development
of economic relations between the two countries," Szijjarto said.
http://asbarez.com/107214/hungary-azerbaijan-expand-trade-relations/
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto (left) with Azeri Economic
Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev in Baku
BAKU-Three months after extraditing axe-murderer Ramil Safarov to
Azerbaijan, where he was pardoned and pronounced a national hero,
Hungary opened its first ever trade office in Baku earlier this month
in hopes of advancing economic relations with the very government
that applauds ethnically motivated murder.
Safarov, who was serving a sentence in Budapest for murdering an
Armenian officer Gurgen Hayrapetian in 2004 during a NATO Partnership
for Peace program, was promoted in the Azeri Army. The White House,
Brussels and other international entities condemned the extradition
and the subsequent pardon of the axe-murderer.
"The trading house was established in Azerbaijan as the two countries
are strategic partners," said Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's foreign
minister during the opening ceremony of the office, reported AzerNews.
He said the first reason of opening the House in Baku is the strategic
cooperation between the two countries and the second is compliance
of the supply for the Hungarian economy with Azerbaijan's demand.
Szijjarto said one of the major goals of the event was to develop
cooperation between Azerbaijan and medium-sized businesses from
Hungary, which is required to further export their products to
Azerbaijan.
A Hungarian delegation headed by Szijjarto, which consisted of
economic, banking and tourism sectors' representatives, took part in
an Azerbaijani-Hungarian business forum on the same day.
Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev told
the business forum that political relations between Azerbaijan and
Hungary are at a high level and there is potential for their further
development, which is confirmed by numerous visits and meetings.
Mustafayev said that the two countries have signed some 30
documents, which creates favorable conditions for the development of
Azerbaijani-Hungarian economic relations, noting that they have the
potential for developing cooperation in investment, construction,
pharmaceuticals and other fields.
"The government support for businessmen looking to cooperate with
Hungarian companies is being guaranteed," Mustafayev said. "There is
also the necessary legal framework."
Szijjarto told the press that Hungary considers Azerbaijan as a
guarantor of Europe's energy security.
He said the Hungarian side was interested in implementing the Nabucco
gas pipeline project and Azerbaijani gas supplies to central Europe
via this route.
The Nabucco project is a priority route for delivering Caspian and in
particular, Azerbaijani gas to south-east and central Europe and one of
the main and important elements in ensuring European energy security.
Szijjarto also noted that Hungary hopes to operate direct flights
to Azerbaijan.
According to Szijjarto, the issue of running a direct flight from Baku
to Budapest is on the agenda and being discussed with the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Economic Development.
"It would be a great advantage and a step [forward] in the development
of economic relations between the two countries," Szijjarto said.