Following the signing of 8 economic MoUs with Iran, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attended a joint press conference with Iranian first Vice-President Es’hagh Jahangiri on Monday in Tehran, heralding the beginning of a new chapter in the two countries’ trade relations.
Orbán voiced his regret over the fact that Iran had been forced back from the trend of international trade due to sanctions, saying his country has a keen interest in changing this unfair situation.
The Hungarian senior official described his meeting with Jahangiri as highly productive, saying “as a seasoned diplomat, I have to note that I had the most interesting and lucrative talks with Iranian officials today.”
Orbán added that the first steps taken today toward the expansion of relations between Tehran and Budapest will bear fruition only when the next generation follow in the same footsteps; “Hungary definitely wishes to establish communication between Iranian and Hungarian youth,” he stressed.
Jahangiri, for his part, said Hungary could cooperate with post-sanction Iran in various fields including the construction of equipment required for the country’s oil industry.
The Iranian official then referred to the position of European countries in the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy, deeming Hungary an effective member state in the European Union; “the expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Budapest can set the stage for returning the EU to its previous position as Iran’s first trade partner,” said Jahangiri.
Jahangiri further added that Iran’s special geopolitical position and various capacities can help the country serve as a bridge for Hungary to interact with Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East.
The Prime Minister of Hungary Victor Orban is visiting Iran at the top of a high-ranking delegation while the ex-prime minister of Hungary Carol Gross had last traveled to Tehran 27 years ago in 1988.
MS/IRN81860294/IRN81860425