Hungary is highly interested in the development of bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary told on the eve of his visit to Baku.

He will visit Azerbaijan on Nov.3-4.

“Azerbaijan is a key strategic partner in the framework of the Eastern Opening Policy. The main aim of my visit to Baku is to further develop our fruitful economic cooperation and enhance our cooperation in other relevant fields as well,” the minister said.

He said Hungary also aims to discover new possibilities and areas to deepen the relations with Azerbaijan in a mutually beneficial way.

The foreign minister added that Hungary and Azerbaijan could be long-term strategic partners.

“Our economic, trade and investment relations are dynamically developing which is reflected not least in the fact that high-level visits are organized more frequently,” the minister said.

Szijjarto said contractual relationship between Azerbaijan and Hungary is well established, but there is always room to widen the scope of different areas to be covered by agreements.

“As I mentioned before, the establishment of strategic cooperation between our countries is an important goal; any agreement that can widen the scope of the legal framework of the bilateral cooperation is welcomed by our side.”

Answering the question about the measures taken to increase the trade turnover between the two countries, he said Hungary would like to achieve greater access to all markets, especially in the target countries of the Eastern Opening strategy.

“In Azerbaijan, we are intensifying our work through our embassy in Baku, the Joint Economic Committee and the Hungarian Trade House. The direct flight from June 2011 between our capitals also represents a factor that contributes to this cause,” Szijjarto added.

Hungary, as a member state of the European Union, regards Azerbaijan as an important partner not just on a bilateral basis, but also for the European Union, according to the minister.

“This approach is reflected in the Hungarian position when it comes to discussing the EU’s relations with Azerbaijan in different EU forums as well.”

“Let me add, that the cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership is an important one; in this regard, Hungary is a supporter of the notion of differentiation between different partner countries,” Szijjarto added.