Türkiye and Hungary reaffirmed their growing partnership on Thursday as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in Ankara for high-level diplomatic talks.

The visit, announced via a statement on the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, reflects ongoing efforts by both nations to strengthen bilateral relations in the political, economic, and strategic arenas.

While the exact details of Thursday’s meeting were not disclosed, the encounter follows a previous meeting between the two ministers held in Budapest on May 21 during the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States. That summit showcased Hungary’s increasing engagement with Turkic countries and emphasized Budapest’s close alignment with Ankara in regional diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

Türkiye and Hungary enjoy robust bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, and defense. In 2024, trade volume between the two countries reached approximately $3.5 billion, with both sides aiming to increase it to $5 billion in the coming years. Joint infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and defense initiatives are key areas of focus.

Hungary, a longstanding NATO ally, has played a supportive role in Türkiye’s efforts to enhance its relations with the European Union. Despite Hungary’s own complex relationship with Brussels, it has consistently backed Ankara’s strategic ambitions, particularly in energy security and regional stability.

Energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of Turkish-Hungarian relations. Hungary views Türkiye as a vital transit hub for natural gas deliveries, including those transported via the TurkStream pipeline. Both countries have also emphasized the importance of joint efforts in counterterrorism, border security, and managing irregular migration — all crucial issues in a rapidly shifting geopolitical climate.

Thursday’s talks likely included discussions on these topics, though no official agenda was published. Analysts suggest that the meeting also served as a platform for further aligning Ankara and Budapest on regional security, NATO cooperation, and post-war stabilization efforts in neighboring regions.

The Ankara visit marks the latest in a series of high-level interactions between the two governments, signaling a shared commitment to reinforcing their strategic dialogue. Frequent ministerial meetings, increasing trade volumes, and deepening political alignment are all seen as signs of a maturing partnership between Türkiye and Hungary.

Further updates on the outcomes of the meeting are expected to be released by the Turkish and Hungarian foreign ministries in the coming days. (ILKHA)