TURKMENISTAN - HUNGARY: STRENGTHENING THE TIES OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION
Actively integrating into the world political space, Turkmenistan pays special attention to the development of friendly relations with all countries of the world. Based on the principles of the policy of neutrality, our country is expanding fruitful ties with the countries of the European Union. One of the countries that has strong and multi-vector relations with Turkmenistan is Hungary. With the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries on May 11, 1992, interstate ties developed on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation. The intensification of the positive political dialogue at the bilateral level brought the Turkmen-Hungarian relations to a high level of development and enriched it with a qualitatively new content. Being partners in many issues of cooperation within the framework of international organizations and supporting initiatives put forward on the platforms of authoritative international structures, both states attach particular importance to solving global problems and interact to solve them. The cooperation of both countries within the framework of a number of international structures, such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Turkic States, brings practical benefits and makes a significant contribution to strengthening cooperation to solve important issues. Hungary pays great attention to expanding active cooperation with Turkmenistan in the Central Asian region. In turn, Hungary is an important link in the European Union, a kind of political and cultural bridge in establishing a dialogue between the countries of Europe and Asia. Hungary is one of the key partners for Turkmenistan in the space of the European Union. Regular high-level political contacts have been established between the two countries. Owing to the efforts of the parties, relations between the countries are gaining momentum, becoming the most fruitful. They are based on cooperation in the fuel, energy and transport sectors. On June 18–19, 2014, our Hero Arkadag, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid his first official visit to Hungary as Head of state. During the talks, it was noted that Turkmenistan and Hungary have great opportunities for building up cooperation across the entire spectrum of interstate relations. Our Hero Arkadag noted that the products of Hungarian manufacturers, in particular, agricultural products, as well as textiles and vehicles, are well known in Turkmenistan. Hungarian companies have extensive experience in the international market, and there are all opportunities for Hungarian business representatives to effectively apply their experience and technologies in Turkmenistan. In this regard, the parties discussed the possibility of organizing a working visit of the Hungarian delegation to get acquainted with the country's economy, as well as to study the possibilities of concluding contracts with state bodies and private structures. During the talks, it was also noted that the agreement on economic cooperation between the two countries, scheduled for signing, will become the basis for the creation and operation of a joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, which will lead to the intensification of bilateral economic relations. Fuel and energy, textile, transport, agro-industrial, tourism, cultural, humanitarian and other areas were named among the most promising areas of cooperation. As a result of the Turkmen-Hungarian high-level talks, the parties signed an Agreement on cooperation in the field of education, science and culture, an Agreement on economic cooperation, a program of cooperation in the field of education, a program of cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries and an agreement on technical cooperation between tax authorities. Following the talks, the Presidents of the two countries adopted a Joint Statement. In June 2015, the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Hungarian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Ashgabat, within the framework of which the development of bilateral relations in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres was considered. New ways of strengthening cooperation in energy, transport and communications, agriculture and other areas were discussed. Two years later, the third meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Hungarian Commission for Economic Cooperation was organized. The delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Istvan Mikola, held talks with heads and representatives of sectoral ministries and departments of our country. During the meeting, the parties made proposals to increase mutual trade. At the same time, emphasis was placed on partnership between the chambers of commerce and industry of both countries to attract business circles to the implementation of investment projects and the creation of joint ventures. Issues of interaction in such key areas of interstate dialogue as energy, transport, agriculture, science and education, tourism and others were discussed. In May 2019, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjártó visited Ashgabat, where Turkmen-Hungarian talks were held. The agenda included issues of multilateral and regional partnership between the two countries within the framework of authoritative international organizations. An exchange of views also took place on a number of key areas for the development of Turkmen-Hungarian relations in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. On January 20, 2020, in the capital of Hungary, the city of Budapest, a business forum was held with the participation of about a hundred Turkmen and Hungarian entrepreneurs as part of the regular meeting of the Turkmen-Hungarian joint commission. Within the framework of the forum, bilateral meetings were held between representatives of leading Hungarian companies and members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. As a result of the business forum in Budapest, commercial contracts were signed between Turkmen and Hungarian entrepreneurs for the supply of poultry products to Turkmenistan. The visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Turkmenistan will open up new horizons for cooperation between the two countries and become another important event in deepening the multifaceted Turkmen-Hungarian relations.
SULGUN Nepesova,
Lecturer of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.