Expert: Budapest maintains friendly relations with Baku

Hungary is a member of the Organization of Turkic States with observer status, but its participation activity is as if it were a full member, Senior researcher of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA), Professor László Vasa told Report.

According to him, Viktor Orbán participates in the OTS Summit held in Susha, Azerbaijan. The high-level meetings, and formal and informal consultations further strengthen Hungary's presence in the Turkic world.

“All the more so because Hungary, having the EU presidency for this semester, is trying to draw attention to the importance of Central Eurasian connectivity and use the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Turkic world and its role as a bridge,” he added.

“Budapest maintains a special strategic, highest level, friendly relations with Baku, so the meeting will be suitable for discussing ongoing matters. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done in breaking down the bureaucratic burdens of mutual investments and trade and travel administration, and it would be important to increase the number of direct flights between the two capitals, as well as speed up the determined infrastructure projects aimed at connectivity,” the professor noted.