In Moscow on Monday, prior to his talks with Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said that, after a very long period, international processes seem to favour the development of Hungarian-Russian relations.

He pointed out that bilateral relations have suffered a great deal in the international environment of sanctions, but there is improvement in jointly determined economic cooperation programmes: regional cooperation and Hungarian technological investments in Russia – primarily in the area of agriculture and machinery.

Mr. Szijjártó stressed that he was looking forward to meeting Mr. Lavrov – both personally and as foreign minister. He thanked his counterpart for the condolences he had expressed on behalf of Russia in relation to the coach accident which occurred near Verona at the weekend. The Hungarian delegation at the talks in Moscow wore black ribbons to mark the national day of mourning in memory of those who died in the accident.

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Receiving Mr. Szijjártó, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the aim of the Hungarian-Russian foreign ministers’ meeting is to pave the way for a successful summit in Budapest in February.

According to Mr. Lavrov, in the talks there will also be a review of progress in implementing the agreements reached when Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and President Vladimir Putin met one year ago in Moscow.

Last week Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said that current issues in bilateral relations will be on the agenda at the foreign ministers’ meeting, with special regard to implementation of those agreements reached in Moscow on 17 February 2016. “According to recent plans, the parties will exchange views on international issues, including the fight against terrorism, relations with the EU and NATO, the European migration crisis and the Ukraine situation”, she added.

Last Thursday Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office János Lázár announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Budapest on 2 February.

(MTI)