Szijjarto: Voice of peace growing louder outside transatlantic world

Kyrgyzstan’s and the entire central Asian region’s interests lie in the war in Ukraine ending as soon as possible, Szijjarto said. A protracted war poses serious security risks for the central Asian countries, while sanctions cause serious economic problems, he added.

Szijjarto said he and Kulubaev had reaffirmed their countries’ common goal of peace being achieved in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Hungary and Kyrgyzstan have worked hard to develop their bilateral ties in recent years, from which both have benefitted, Szijjarto. Bilateral trade turnover increased by 60 percent last year to a record high level, he said. He noted that Hungary and Kyrgyzstan recently launched a 16 million US dollar joint development fund with the aim of financing Hungarian water management, agricultural and energy investments in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz students are showing more and more interest in Hungarian higher education institutions, Szijjarto said, pointing out that Hungary has received a record 648 scholarship requests. Hungary is also a committed supporter of the development of relations between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan, he said.