Hungarian exports to Azerbaijan have expanded by 29 percent in the past year, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó said.

Strengthening economic ties with the Caucasus region is an important element of the Government's Opening towards the East Policy, he stressed, adding that the next session of the Hungarian-Azeri Joint Economic Committee, scheduled to be held at the end of January, will discuss the subjects of bilateral economic relations, education, tourism and visa requirements. The State Secretary has been the Co-Chair of the Committee since July 2012.

Regarding achievements in bilateral relations, State Secretary Szijjártó mentioned the opening of a Hungarian trading house in Baku in 2012 as well as the direct route between Budapest and Baku launched by Wizz Air last June.

Péter Szijjártó highlighted that bilateral trade, which consists almost exclusively of Hungarian exports, amounted to HUF 12 billion (54.2 million dollars) in the first ten months of 2013, representing an increase of 28.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

(Prime Minister’s Office)