13:42,
YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén in Yerevan.
PM Pashinyan welcomed Semjén’s visit to Armenia and was pleased to note the restoration of diplomatic relations after a long suspension.
According to a readout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Nikol Pashinyan expressed hope that Armenia and Hungary will be able to swiftly catch up what has been missed.
Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén thanked for the warm reception and conveyed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s greetings. Semjén also attached importance to the restoration of bilateral diplomatic relations and emphasized the Hungarian government’s eagerness to develop and enhance partnership with Armenia. In this regard, he emphasized the role of the Armenian community of Hungary.
PM Pashinyan thanked the Hungarian government for the preservation and caring attitude for the Armenian cultural heritage in Hungary.
PM Pashinyan and the Hungarian Deputy PM underscored the need to promote cooperation in the economic, tourism, culture and education sectors. Steps in direction of restoring direct flights between Yerevan and Budapest were highlighted. Deputy PM Zsolt Semjén said that the government of Hungary has initiated a scholarship program for Armenian students.
Various issues of regional and international importance were also discussed.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the situation in Nagorno Karabakh resulting from the illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and stressed that the Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh are now going through a humanitarian crisis. PM Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan has cut off gas and power supply from Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh, while food is supplied only through the peacekeepers. Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan’s actions are aimed at committing ethnic cleansing and genocide in Nagorno Karabakh. The Armenian Prime Minister attached importance to an adequate reaction by the international community.
Hungary’s Ambassador to Armenia Anna Mária Sikó (stationed in Georgia) presented her credentials to Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan on May 15.