Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in New York on Wednesday to discuss the details of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to Budapest on 30 October.

Following the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the current session of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Szijjártó told Hungarian news agency MTI that the parties had reviewed the details and expected topics of President Putin’s meeting with Viktor Orbán.

They determined that the Russian party has fully conformed to the previously concluded agreements within the appointed deadlines, as a result of which Hungary’s natural gas supply for next year has been guaranteed. “We are ready to begin negotiations on future shipments within this field”, Mr. Szijjártó added.

According to the Minister, the parties also determined that preparations for the expansion of the Paks Nuclear Power Station may go ahead according to schedule.

The two politicians agreed that the two countries will be harmonising their efforts in the interests of protecting Middle Eastern Christians. “Hungary and Russia both acknowledge that Christianity is the most persecuted religion on earth, and that Christian communities in the Middle East must be given assistance”, Mr. Szijjártó said.

The parties also finalised their proposed agreement on social security and their agreement on cooperation within the field of oncology, both of which will be signed at the October summit, the Hungarian Foreign Minister indicated.

(MTI)