President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s official visit to Hungary

The official welcoming ceremony of President Vahagn Khachaturyan took place at the Kossuth Lajos Square in Budapest.

The President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is in Hungary on an official visit, was met and welcomed by his counterpart, President of Hungary Katalin Novák.  

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Presidents Vahagn Khachaturyan and Katalin Novák had a private conversation at the Presidential Residence of Hungary, followed by a plenary session of the delegations in an expanded format.

Welcoming the President of Armenia, the President of Hungary expressed hope that this visit will open a new page in the Armenian-Hungarian relations.

"Mr. President, we had many informal meetings, but this is our first official meeting, which, I think, will open a new period in relations between Armenia and Hungary, it is also symbolic that your visit almost coincides with our country's assumption of the presidency of the European Union," Katalin Novák said.

Sharing his gratitude for the warm hospitality, President Vahagn Khachaturyan noted: "Of course, we had meetings and contacts within the framework of various events, but I also attach importance to such receptions and official mutual visits from the point of view of further development of bilateral relations between our countries.

Such meetings are also important in terms of introducing ourselves to our communities and citizens. I would like to emphasize that we are ready to deepen our cooperation, and one of the goals of my visit is also to clarify the directions and possible programs of this interaction."

During the meeting, President Vahagn Khachaturyan, on behalf of Hungarian President Katalin Novák, addressed his words of gratitude to all Hungarian authorities for their special attitude towards the Armenian Community in Hungary. The President emphasized that the local Armenian Community has its own unique role in the relations between the two countries.

During the conversation, the sides touched upon the general situation and developments in the South Caucasus region. Both sides stressed the need for the contribution of efforts aimed at establishing a stable and lasting peace. In this context, President Vahagn Khachaturyan presented to his counterpart the key points of the "Crossroads of Peace" program put forward by the Armenian government and stressed that Armenia's principled and unequivocal position is to establish final peace and good-neighborly relations with its neighbors. The President of the Republic noted that Armenia has laid the philosophy of peace at the core of its position.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also touched upon the possibilities and prospects for the full realization and development of the existing potential of cooperation between the economies of the two countries.

The importance of cultural, educational, Christian value communities and ties between Armenia and Hungary was noted. The sides pointed out with satisfaction that there is a mutually beneficial exchange of experience and cooperation between various higher educational institutions of the two countries through the implementation of various educational programs.

At the end of the meeting, the Presidents confirmed their readiness to continue taking steps for further deepening and developing cooperation both on a bilateral basis and on European Union and other international platforms.

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In the presence of President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit in the Republic of Hungary, and President of Hungary Katalin Novak, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary on cooperation in the fields of culture, higher education, secondary vocational education, training and innovation, scientific-technical activities.

On the Armenian side, it was signed by Artur Martirosyan, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and on the Hungarian side by Balash Hanko, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary.

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Presidents of Armenia and Hungary Vahagn Khachaturyan and Katalin Novák summed up the results of the meetings held in the Sándor Palace, the residence of the President of Hungary, in statements to media representatives.

Statement by the President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan:

Honorable Madam President,

Dear representatives of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Your Excellency, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the warm hospitality you provided to me, as well as my delegation. This visit is the continuation of our previous active contacts. I have warm memories of our meetings in Berlin last June and in Dubai in November. I am pleased to note that the high-level mutual visits and active interaction recently reflect the positive dynamics of bilateral relations, as well as the commitment to further expand our agenda and, of course, strengthening ties between the two nations.

Dear colleagues,

During our discussions today, together with President Novák we touched upon the prospects for the Armenia-Hungary dialogue, expressing our mutual readiness to take practical steps, in particular, towards realizing the existing potential in the economic, scientific, educational, cultural and other spheres, and stimulating possible investments.

I would like to mention the Armenian Community in Hungary, officially recognized as a national minority, which plays an important role in the relations that have developed between the two nations and always gets Hungary's support in preserving its ethnic and religious identity. One of the clearest examples of this is the re-opening of the Armenian Catholic Church in Budapest at the end of 2022.

I also find the formation of friendly groups in the parliaments of both countries and their further relations and partnership important. I believe inter-parliamentary cooperation will become the basis for further improvement of bilateral relations, as well as for cooperation on various international platforms.

Today we also discussed issues related to the expanding partnership between Armenia and the European Union. We expressed confidence that the policy of promoting peace and economic cooperation implemented with the support of the EU in the region will have positive results.

I believe our partners interested in stability in the South Caucasus share the same approach that the peace process requires unequivocal commitment and real interest. In this context, I would like to emphasize that despite all the challenges, Armenia is determined to continue its practical involvement in the negotiation process aimed at the normalization of relations and supports the efforts of international partners in this direction. Nevertheless, the key to a stable and long-lasting peace is a mutual willingness to solve all existing problems through political dialogue.

Of course, the settlement of issues of a humanitarian nature is also essential for us. In this context, we highly appreciate the efforts made by Hungary.

Honorable Madam President,

As conclusion of my speech, I would like to express my gratitude to You once again for the warm reception shown to the Armenian delegation and reaffirm my willingness, as the President of the Republic of Armenia, to make efforts to expand cooperation between Armenia and Hungary. I am confident that these discussions will be an excellent basis for further partnership and cooperation.

My sincere appreciation.

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President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is in the Republic of Hungary on an official visit, visited Heroes' Square in Budapest and laid a wreath at the memorial.

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In honor of President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit to Republic of Hungary, an official dinner was given on behalf of Hungarian President Katalin Novák.

At the start of the official dinner, the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan awarded the Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Zholt Scheimen with the Medal of Gratitude for his contribution to the strengthening and development of Armenian-Hungarian relations.

The Presidents made reciprocal toasts, highly appreciated the bilateral relations and high-level cooperation.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan's speech:

“Dear Madam President,

Dear guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me share my deep gratitude for the warm hospitality shown to the Armenian delegation and me. I am glad to have the opportunity to continue our conversation in such a sincere and friendly atmosphere.

This official visit at the presidential level is clear evidence of mutual interest in the continuous development and bringing our bilateral cooperation to a new level.
Undoubtedly, this will strengthen the centuries-old ties that have been formed between our nations and will become the basis for the dynamic development of multifaceted cooperation.

Our nations are connected by many threads that have been woven since ancient times. Armenians who found refuge in Hungary have proven their loyalty to the host country for centuries, received privileges and noble titles, including from Empress Maria Theresa.

In 1848-1849, a large number of Armenian officers participated in the liberation struggle. Two of the thirteen "Martyrs of Arad" sentenced to death, Lieutenant General Ernօ Kish and Colonel Vilmos Lázár, were of Armenian origin.

The rich cultural ties of our nations have a special place in our relations. Hungarian culture has been enriched by cultural figures of Armenian origin, including writers Gergely Csiky, István Petelei painter Simon Hollós, and these names can be listed for a long time.

One thing is obvious: the friendship of the Armenian and Hungarian people has been tempered for centuries, has gone through difficult trials, giving many examples of devotion and loyalty.

We share the same universal values, striving for international security, peace, sovereignty, and believing in the power of tolerance.

Madam President,

We believe, your country and many countries with which we share cultural and Christian values will support our just cause and help Armenia on its way to achieving lasting peace and cooperation in the region, which should be based on the principles of equality, sovereignty and freedom of all people of the region.

During the meetings within the framework of my official visit to Hungary, I will definitely touch upon the spirit of relations and the best traditions of friendship between our nations.

I would like to conclude my speech reiterating the readiness of the Armenian side to deepen cooperation between the two countries by effective means."

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President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit to Hungary, visited the Pázmány Péter Catholic University.

At the entrance to the University, President of Hungary Katalin Novák and Rector of the University Géza Kuminetz welcomed President Vahagn Khachaturyan.

Welcoming those present, President Khachaturyan said:

"It is a great honor for me to be in this educational institution with almost 400 years of history. This is not accidental and, moreover, I think it is symbolic, since your university today is one of the symbols of the Armenian-Hungarian historical and cultural ties, serving peculiarly for deepening the centuries-old friendship and cooperation between our two nations.

As a result of the cooperation agreement signed between the Pázmány Péter Catholic University and the Armenian State Pedagogical University on March 23, 2016, the Department of Armenian Studies was established at the Institute of History of Pázmány University. It was a truly historic event aimed at the development of Armenian traditions, the origins of which were Hungarian historians of Armenian origin Songot Krishtof, Govrik Gergey, Avetik Lukach, armenologists Edmond Schutz, Ēva Gevorgyan-Bagi, Pal Salmashi, Piroshka Kraichir.

And today these traditions are developing as a result of the daily efforts and scientific activities of the head of the Department of Armenian Studies, Dr. Balint Kovacs. Today, 45 Armenian students from different countries are studying at the Pázmány Péter Catholic University. Most of them receive a scholarship from the Hungarian government, and the other part from the Galust Gulbenkyan Foundation.

I was pleased to learn that one of the 13 laureates of this year's "Pro Cultura Minoritatum Hungariae" award, dedicated to the national minorities of Hungary, is Dr. Kovacs, who was awarded for his Armenological research, scientific work on the cultural heritage of the Armenian Catholic Church and the founding of the Department of Armenian Studies at Pázmány Péter University.

Dear colleagues,

The important cornerstone of the development of every nation is education and investment in education. And one of the foundations for the development of interstate relations is the development of scientific-educational, historical and cultural ties between the countries. In the context of the improving relations between Armenia and Hungary, it is of particular importance not only to popularize the rich historical past existing between the two countries, the Armenian historical colony of Hungary and its cultural heritage, the lives and activities of prominent Armenian military and public officials, writers, artists who have made a significant contribution to the history of Hungary, but also the creation and development of programs, aimed at the present day and the future of our countries. And in this case, the Armenian national autonomy in Hungary, with central, city and regional structures, plays its irreplaceable role. I also attach importance to the activities of public organizations, among which I would single out the "Armenia-Hungary" cultural relations and cooperation company operating in Armenia since 1968.

In fact, there is great potential for bilateral development not only in the humanitarian, but also in almost all fields of science, especially in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and other fields, where both Armenians and Hungarians have significant achievements on international platforms. I attach importance to the exchange of information about all this and the development of programs not only between government structures, but also between various agencies, educational institutions, public organizations, scientific centers with the involvement of a variety of international instruments.

Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership of Pázmány Péter Catholic University for the support of the Department of Armenian Studies, as well as to the higher-education teaching staff of the University's Institute of History headed by Dr. Oze Sándor and the entire staff of the Department of Armenian Studies for their tireless daily work".

During the visit to the university, a signing ceremony was also held on the amendment of the agreement on international cooperation signed between Yerevan State Pedagogical University and Pázmány Péter Catholic University of Budapest, which was signed by Rectors Srbui Gevorgyan and Géza Kuminetz.

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President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit to Hungary, met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Greeting the President, the Prime Minister of Hungary noted: "Mr. President, thank You for your visit to Hungary. I know that yesterday You had a very productive meeting and conversation with the President of our country. These meetings are important at the current stage of relations between our countries. I hope they will have a positive impact on the development of economic cooperation as well."

President Vahagn Khachaturyan expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and words of appreciation. "Mr. Prime Minister, we have overcome difficult times and now we are ready to make efforts towards the development of relations between our countries, also taking into account the fact that Hungary will take over the presidency of the European Union in the near future. I hope we shall have effective cooperation in the European Union and other international platforms," the President noted.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the promotion of sectoral cooperation between Armenia and Hungary and the full realization of the existing potential. Reference was made to the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the economy, education, culture and other fields.

The interlocutors discussed regional and global security issues. The President reaffirmed Armenia's principled position of achieving stable and lasting peace and forming good-neighborly relations with its neighbors.

There was also an exchange of views on the protection of Christian and cultural heritage in the region. The both sides pointed out the importance of deepening Armenia-EU effective partnership, stressed the importance of continuing further steps towards the protection of democracy and democratic values.

The President of Armenia and the Prime Minister of Hungary stressed that cooperation between the business circles of the two countries and the contribution of efforts towards establishing new ties are also one of the important guarantees for the further development of relations.

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President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with representatives of the local Armenian Community during his official visit to Hungary.

The President of the Republic presented details of the internal and external situation in Armenia, touched upon the changes and reforms that have occurred in the country in recent years.

During the meeting, in a sincere and friendly atmosphere, President Vahagn Khachaturyan talked with those present and answered their questions.

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During his official visit to Hungary, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Laszlo Kover, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, welcoming the President, noted that such a visit is an important step for the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan thanked for the warm reception and hospitality and expressed hope that high-level mutual visits between the two countries will be continuous.

During the meeting, the possibilities of building sectoral cooperation between Armenia and Hungary were discussed.

During the conversation, the sides stressed the importance of the parliamentary diplomacy role in bilateral relations and in this context noted with satisfaction the importance of deputy friendship groups in the parliaments of the two countries.

The interlocutors exchanged views on regional and global issues. They emphasized the need to protect Christian and cultural heritage.

At the meeting, the sides stressed the importance of mutual visits between the two countries at various levels, including in the economic, business, cultural and other spheres.