Hungarian-Austrian relations are highly important and they remain solid despite some disputes, Foreign Minister János Martonyi said on Wednesday after meeting his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz in Budapest.
Minister Martonyi declared at their joint press conference that there were only two issues on which the two countries held different views: Austrian banks in Hungary and the Hungarian Land Act. He stated that such issues should not create political tension between the two countries and Austria must remain active in Central European cooperation since it is part of this region. Minister Martonyi said he and Mr. Kurz had discussed taking joint diplomatic action in connection with the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister added that Austrian coal-fired power stations near the Hungarian border raised environmental issues. Although this falls under the competence of Austrian provinces, genuine bilateral dialogue should be promoted in this matter too, he said.
Minister Kurz stressed that Austrian investors needed greater predictability, a stable legal framework and non-discriminatory treatment in order to create jobs and invest in Hungary. Regarding the new Hungarian Land Act, he said that it had put some Austrian farmers into a difficult situation. Austria is now awaiting the EU position on whether the Hungarian law meets EU legal standards. He agreed that as neighbouring countries Hungary and Austria should always strive to discuss difficult issues.
The Austrian Foreign Minister said that their countries plan to cooperate on several international and European Union matters. Their interests coincide on the Western Balkans and Danube Strategy development projects, he added. This year, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain and the tenth anniversary of Hungary's EU accession will provide opportunities for joint celebrations, Minister Kurz said.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
