The Eastern Partnership programme of the European Union needs to strengthened, as it may form a bridge between the Eastern and Western parts of Europe, and could ensure cooperation between them – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at the meeting attended by the Foreign Ministers of V4 group countries, member states of the Eastern Partnership, and the diplomatic leaders of Romania and Sweden.

Apart from energy security and other current foreign policy issues, the meeting’s main topic was the development of cooperation with member states of the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine).

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Our aim is a constructive and cultured cooperation between the Eastern and Western parts of the continent; the Eastern Partnership can be an important tool for this, therefore Hungary recommends the European Union to reinforce the programme. Visegrad Group countries are in complete agreement on this issue, the Minister added.

He also stressed that the EU should establish a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, as it is the only plausible new source of gas for the near future. "Currently Azerbaijan is the only country that could be a new gas supply source for Europe in the near future (...) therefore, we urge the European Union – including the V4 group – to establish a strategic cooperation with Azerbaijan" Mr. Szijjártó emphasised.

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He also explained the Hungarian stance concerning Belarus, according to which the EU should change its attitude towards the country, and should establish close cooperation with it. "The stability of Belarus and the significant role it plays in the Minsk agreement have to be appreciated”, the Minister noted.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)