There is further room for expansion in Hungarian-Russian agrarian relations, which have developed dynamically recently, Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas told Hungarian news agency MTI on Tuesday.

The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture was a member of the Hungarian delegation which accompanied Prime Minster Viktor Orbán on his official visit to Moscow on Tuesday.

According to the statement, during his time in Moscow Mr. Fazekas held a short meeting with his counterpart, Russian Minister for Agriculture Nikolay Fyodorov, with whom he agreed that Hungarian-Russian agrarian relations has developed significantly in recent years. According to Minister Fazekas, this is clearly indicated by the fact that Hungarian exports to Russia increased by 28 percent during the first 9 months of 2013, compared to the same period in the previous year.

The Minister for Rural Development stressed that in his view Hungarian agrarian exports to Russia may increase even further, citing as an examples the opportunities that lie in the export of livestock.

Mr. Fazekas informed his Hungarian colleague that Hungarian exhibitors would once again be taking par tin this year's Russian agriculture expo Prodexpo in Moscow in February and at the Golden Autumn food industry exhibition later in the year.

The Hungarian Minister also indicated to Nikolay Fyodorov that he is expecting his Russian colleague to visit Hungary in the near future. According to the statement, during his visit to Hungary, topics of discussion are expected to include rural tourism and issues relating to aquaculture and rural development.

Minister Fazekas also suggested that they review with which Russian republics and districts Hungary may develop closer relations. As he indicated to his Russian counterpart, Mr. Fazekas would welcome the inclusion of the Chuvash Republic.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)