Hungary is preparing for another session of its strategic dialogue with Azerbaijan, scheduled for December, according to Hungarian Ambassador to Baku Tamás Torma.
The envoy spoke at a reception marking Hungary’s National Day and the anniversary of the 1956 Revolution.
Torma emphasized that Hungary has supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty since the country’s first days of independence – a position grounded, he said, “not only in respect for international law, but in genuine friendship toward Azerbaijan’s sovereignty.”
He recalled that Hungarian legal experts helped establish Azerbaijan’s Constitutional Court, and noted that Hungary was the first country to offer assistance for Karabakh’s postwar reconstruction.
Expanding Strategic Partnership
The ambassador highlighted that relations between Baku and Budapest have grown into an enhanced strategic partnership since 2023, marked by reciprocal visits of national leaders, a meeting of the joint economic commission in Budapest, and a record-high business forum.
“Today both countries are free and independent, and cooperation is developing at all levels. Political consultations have already taken place, and all conditions are in place for further strengthening our partnership,” Torma said.
Political and Economic Cooperation
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov confirmed that the next round of strategic dialogue between the two foreign ministries is set for December, adding that “relations with Hungary are expanding in every field.”
He noted that Hungary became Azerbaijan’s third-largest investor last year and remains a key partner in the energy sector. Cooperation in education is also thriving, he said, with “over 1,500 Azerbaijani students currently studying in Hungary.”
Energy and Green Transition Projects
Ambassador Torma also pointed to Hungary’s growing role in Azerbaijan’s energy sector, noting that Hungarian energy companies MOL and MVM now hold shares in major Azerbaijani oil and gas fields.
“Through these projects, Hungarian firms can enter global energy markets not just as buyers, but as sellers,” he said, describing cooperation with SOCAR as “a strategic contribution to Hungary’s energy security and sovereignty.”
He added that both sides are engaged in talks on renewable energy, focusing on the Green Energy Corridor project and potential joint investments.
Cultural and Educational Links
Torma underlined the importance of cultural and academic ties, noting that many Azerbaijani students study in Hungary under the Stipendium Hungaricum program, while an increasing number of Hungarian students participate in short-term exchange programs in Azerbaijan.
“University partnerships and cultural cooperation continue to expand – from art exhibitions to film projects,” he said, adding that Hungary’s active participation as an observer in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) fosters stronger East–West dialogue.
