FERENC GYURCSANY: “MANY THINGS UNITE AZERBAIJAN AND HUNGARY”
Prime Minister of Hungary Ferenc Gyurcsany paid a two-day visit to Azerbaijan. During the visit, Premier gave an interview to AZERTAG.
- Mr. Prime Minister, Hungary and Azerbaijan have always maintained high-level relationships in the political and humanitarian spheres. President Ilham Aliyev`s visit to Hungary on February 18-19 this year has marked a new chapter in the strategic partnership between the two countries. During the visit, a number of important documents were signed. How the tasks set out in the documents are being fulfilled?
- Mr. President`s visit was followed by the meeting of foreign ministers in Baku. We are searching for new spheres fro cooperation apart from energy sector. It applies to the agrarian sector, food industry, production of medicines, purification of water and wastewater. Our yesterday’s talks with President and Prime Minister of Azerbaijan addressed prospects of interaction in these sectors and intensification of our cooperation.
I want to cite an example for you. Azerbaijan imports almost 100 percent of medicines. Hungary is one of the biggest European producers of medicines, having many innovations. Naturally, there is a certain mutual interest in this sphere.
- After Azerbaijan joined the EU New Neighborhood Policy and signed a memorandum on strategic energy partnership with EU, a new chapter in Azerbaijan-EU relationship has begun. What kind of assistance can Hungary provide to Azerbaijan for Euro-Atlantic integration?
- Hungary knows very well how the transition period is difficult. This is why, our country may be more useful in this issue than Germany or UK. It is about imparting our experience. I think that Azerbaijan pursues a very responsible policy, and thanks to us, European Union can understand Azerbaijan`s aspirations.
- Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Central European countries has been opened for the first time in Budapest. It is the indicator of importance our country attaches to relationships with Hungary. How does Hungary evaluate Azerbaijan’s positions in the region? Should there be differences between energy cooperation with Hungary and European Union as a whole?
- I hope we will be able to open the embassy in Baku this year. In this region, Azerbaijan is probably, developing more rapidly. It means Azerbaijan will shoot ahead in its development in comparison with other regional countries and have the strongest economy in the region and, naturally, it will entail highly developed education, science. Due to this, prestige of Azerbaijan will increase. Azerbaijan will grow into the key state in the region, and its influence will go beyond the country itself.
We are pleased to keep an eye on development of Azerbaijan, and this attitude is supported by the document on strategic partnership signed in February. We do not have such an agreement with any country of the region.
- Hungary relies on energy supplies. How do you evaluate opportunities for energy cooperation between Hungary and Azerbaijan given our country is producer and transit state for energy resources?
- Hungary mostly relies on Russia in terms of oil and gas. We would like to lessen this dependency. To do this, we bought gas from other countries as well. Therefore, we support Nabucco idea. Of course, Azerbaijan is not enough to implement this project. Azerbaijan is important as producer and supplier of gas. As to Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan plays an exceptional role as a transit country. All our talks make me confident that Azerbaijan is ready to take this role upon itself. Today, success of Nabucco does not depend on Azerbaijan only.
- People in Azerbaijan hailed the fact that Hungary gave 12 points to representatives of Azerbaijan in the Eurovision song contest in which our country participated for the first time. People in Azerbaijan claim it is associated with old historical ties between our peoples. What do you think about it? We would like to know your opinion on development of relations in the humanitarian sphere?
- Not many people know that Hungarians came from Asia to find homeland. Hungarians know quite a lot about Azerbaijan, appreciate the efforts were made here in first half of 90s to stabilize the situation in the country and pay a special attention to development here. We approximately have similar area and population. What we have in common is that our football teams disappoint us. We have many things in common in terms of joy and sorrow.
Of course, it would be exaggerating to say that we know very well each other. I think the number of tourists does not exceed a thousand people a year. There is much we could do to develop our economic, cultural and scientific ties.
- Thank you for interview, Mr. Prime Minister.
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