On November 9, 2009, RA President Serzh Sargsyan paid the first visit to Hungary in the history of independent Armenia. The RA presidential press office reported that the official ceremony was followed by the Armenian and Hungarian President’s talks, which, in turn, were followed by an enlarged meeting.

Hungarian President László Sólyom pointed out that Hungary views Armenia as an important partner and is ready to develop bilateral cooperation in all fields.

The Armenian and Hungarian leaders stressed that, despite the progress in bilateral relations, the bilateral economic and trade ties do not fulfill the true potential. The two leaders expressed the confidence that the documents signed during the Armenian President’s visit, as well as the Armenian-Hungarian business forum in Budapest, will contribute to the development of bilateral relations. The sides also pointed out the importance of bilateral cooperation within international organizations and the European Neighborhood Policy.

The Armenian President informed his Hungarian counterpart of the current stage of the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. “We are willing to resolve the problems, without any preconditions and in a peaceful way, and establish relations with our neighbors, using the potential for stable and peaceful development of the region. I am sure that it is only through cooperation that long-lasting peace, stability and development can be established in the region,” Sargsyan said.

President László Sólyom welcomed the progress in the Armenia-Turkey normalization process. The sides also exchanged views on regional security problems.

President Serzh Sargsyan invited his Hungarian counterpart to visit Armenia.

The sides signed a number of agreements on economic cooperation.