OREANDA-NEWS. November 09, 2011. President of the Republic of Hungary Pal Schmitt arrived in the Turkmen capital yesterday. This is the first official visit of the Hungarian leader to Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen officials met the distinguished guest at the Ashgabat International Airport decorated with the national flags of the two states. Following the tradition, bread and salt and bouquets of wonderful flowers were offered to the President of Hungary. From the airport the President’s cortege headed to the Oguzkent Hotel.

The Turkmen-Hungarian top level talks will be held on November 9. They are expected to result in signing a package of important documents which will extend the regulatory framework of interstate relations aimed at establishing a full-scale dialogue between the two countries.

Europe was and remains a key priority of the foreign policy strategy of the independent Turkmen state that takes consistent steps towards wide international cooperation in the common interests. The summit in Ashgabat is a fact evidencing the willingness of the two states to fully implement the potential of active partnerships in the multilateral format, within the European Union as well as on bilateral level. Demonstrating their commitment to promoting friendly relations, both states display greater resolve to bring partnership to a qualitatively new level and promote it in a businesslike and constructive manner given the economic achievements and the existing tremendous economic and resource potential of the two countries.

The Hungarian delegation consists of the officials of government institutions and ministries and the top managers of large companies, banks, the agency for investment and commerce. These include the MOL oil and gas group, pharmaceutical enterprises, well-known construction firms and agricultural companies interested in establishing business contacts with Turkmen counterparts.

A package of bilateral documents designed to intensify cooperation in all strategic fields are to be signed in Ashgabat. Particular attention in the course of talks will be paid to partnerships in the fuel and energy sector where Turkmenistan’s tremendous energy potential and Hungary’s interest in natural gas exports from Turkmenistan create all necessary requisites for effective concerted efforts. An essential factor for fruitful partnership is the willingness to share experiences in the health care and agricultural sectors and the food industry, cooperate in the recreation and tourism sectors and foster dialogue in the humanitarian sphere.

The issues regarding the establishment business contacts in these fields will be brought up during the Turkmen-Hungarian business forum. The President of Hungary is expected to attend the forum.

This official visit of President of the Republic of Hungary Pal Schmitt to Ashgabat will certainly promote fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and Hungary on interstate level as well as in the multilateral format, including within the European Union and other authoritative organisations and structures, and play a crucial role in developing an effective model of cooperation meeting the spirit of mutually advantageous and equal partnership and modern realities.

The programme of the visit of the government delegation of the Republic of Hungary to Ashgabat will provide our guests with an opportunity to see the collections of Turkmen museums presenting invaluable evidence of the age-old history, rich culture and unique traditions of the Turkmen people, and landmarks of the Turkmen capital.