Deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Hakob Arshakyan, on Friday received the deputy speaker of the NA of Hungary, Istvan Jakab, the NA of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Welcoming the guest, Arshakyan stated that the commitment to the restoration of bilateral diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary after a long break proves that there is no issue that cannot be resolved through dialogue. In the development of bilateral relations, Hakob Arshakyan welcomed the opening of the embassies of Armenia in Budapest and Hungary in Yerevan. In this context, the role of parliamentary cooperation, including at the level of friendship groups, was emphasized.
Speaking about the reform agenda being implemented in Armenia, the deputy chairman of the Armenian NA said that Armenia has launched a development model based on European fundamental values: democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The action plan within the framework of the visa liberalization dialogue has already been officially submitted to Armenia, and Hakob Arshakyan expressed hope that Hungary will support this process.
Also, the deputy speaker of the Armenian NA briefed his Hungarian colleague on the regional situation, and the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this context, he touched upon the joint declaration signed and the peace agreement initialed in Washington, as well as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project.
Attaching importance to the return of Armenians illegally detained and those considered missing in Azerbaijan to their homeland, Hakob Arshakyan stressed that Armenia greatly appreciates Hungary’s initiative to resolve humanitarian issues. In December 2021, five Armenian prisoners of war were returned to Armenia from Azerbaijan with the assistance of the Hungarian government.
The deputy speaker of the Hungarian NA also touched upon the warm and friendly bilateral relations, which are developing effectively both at the parliamentary and executive levels. Istvan Jakab, in turn, attached importance to the peace process, and noted that there is no alternative to it. According to him, Hungary supports Armenia's EU integration process and is in favor of visa liberalization.
The meeting touched also upon the deepening of economic cooperation between Armenia and Hungary, as well as the promotion of their ties in a number of other domains. Also, the role of the Hungarian Armenian community in the development of relations between the two countries and peoples was emphasized.
