Ankara, December 13, 2024 – The Europe Today: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has underscored the effectiveness of Türkiye’s foreign policy, particularly in addressing developments in Syria, while advocating for enhanced cooperation with the European Union on counterterrorism and Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
The Turkish leader hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Ankara on Thursday for discussions on bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues, according to a statement from Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
Strengthening Türkiye-Hungary Relations
President Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to its century-old ties with Hungary, describing their current relations as being at an “excellent level.” He emphasized the shared will to strengthen these ties further, particularly by increasing the bilateral trade volume to $6 billion.
Erdogan expressed his delight in hosting Prime Minister Orban and his delegation during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Turkish-Hungarian Cultural Year. The discussions also included plans to boost cooperation in various fields, particularly in the energy sector.
Separately, Erdogan met with Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, where both leaders reiterated their commitment to advancing bilateral relations and strengthening their political, economic, and cultural ties.
Support for Türkiye’s EU Membership
The Turkish president highlighted Budapest’s continued solidarity with Ankara in reviving Türkiye’s stalled EU membership process and expressed gratitude for Hungary’s contributions as an observer member of the Organisation of Turkic States.
Commitment to Syria
On Syria, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild the country, with a focus on preserving its unity and territorial integrity.
“These recent developments in Syria demonstrate the effectiveness of Türkiye’s foreign policy,” Erdogan said, urging the EU to increase its cooperation with Türkiye on counterterrorism and reconstruction efforts.
A Strategic Partnership
Türkiye and Hungary are actively working to take their longstanding relations beyond a strategic partnership, aiming to deepen collaboration across various domains. The meetings in Ankara marked a significant milestone in further cementing the ties between the two nations.
