Ukraine is also expected to show rapid economic growth in the future, and Hungary would like take part in this development, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart Mikola Yanovych Azarov in Budapest on Thursday.

The events in Cyprus of the past few days have made it clear to Hungary that conducting unilateral foreign trade represents a limitation, the Hungarian Prime Minister said, referring to the fact that some three-quarters of Hungarian exports are targeted at Western Europe. Hungary must take advantage of opportunities which lie in countries towards the East, such as Ukraine, where real perspective is to be found, he added. Prime Minister Orbán emphasised that Hungary is also stable and has the potential to exploit the opportunity of economic cooperation with the Ukraine.

He asked for Prime Minister Azarov's goodwill and support in connection with language laws passed in Ukraine last year which affect the Hungarian minority living there. He drew his colleague’s attention to the Hungarian community in Ukraine, who are "a loyal community, but one that wishes to preserve its national identity and culture".

The Ukrainian Prime Minister said in a statement following the meeting that their aim is to further strengthen and develop the good relationship between the two countries. He highlighted that negotiations had covered several fields, including culture, education, trade and the economy. Cooperation will continue within the field of nuclear energy, opportunities for combined freight transport further explored, existing transport networks expanded in the border region and services for citizens crossing the border improved, Prime Minister Azarov stated. He emphasised that he welcomes the fact that Prime Minister Orbán expressed Hungary’s continued support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. He also expressed his personal gratitude to his Hungarian colleague for his assistance in making it possible for the Ukraine to import natural gas from Europe through Hungarian pipelines. Finally, the two Prime Ministers signed a declaration of intent on the comprehensive development of border crossings between the two countries.

For the Hungarian Prime Minister’s statement please see the file attached.

(Prime Minister’s Office)