State Secretary Péter Szijjártó discussed bilateral economic ties, infrastructure development and EU affairs with senior Austrian officials in Vienna on Friday. The State Secretary held talks with , State Secretary of the Austrian Chancellery Josef Ostermayer, General Secretary at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Johannes Kyrle, and local business leaders.

Austria also regards Hungary as one of its main economic partners, with bilateral trade in 2012 totalling 10 billion euros, State Secretary Szijjártó said, adding that in order to strengthen relations, the two countries' chambers of industry and trade will seek to intensify cooperation.

In infrastructure, the Austria and Hungary will build two new roads across their common border by 2014 and establish 30 new border crossings in 2014-2020, in addition to the current 29. The parties will jointly seek to put 30-35 million euros towards this project out of the around 100 million euros earmarked for cross-border projects under the EU's next multiannual financial framework, he pointed out.

In discussions regarding the EU's on-going excessive deficit procedure against Hungary, State Secretary Szijjártó noted the Austrian side's "clear indication" to support Hungary.

During his visit he also discussed Azerbaijan gas supply issues with Gulmirza Javadov, Head of the Austrian branch of Azeri gas company SOCAR, and Chairman of the Hungary-Azerbaijan economic joint committee.

(Prime Minister's Office)