Armenia, Hungary discuss peace, EU visa liberalization

PanARMENIAN.Net - On January 30, Armenian National Assembly Vice President Hakob Arshakyan met with Hungarian National Assembly Vice President István Jakab and emphasized that restoring diplomatic ties after a long pause shows that all issues can be resolved through dialogue.

Within the scope of the visa liberalization dialogue, Armenia has already submitted its action plan to Hungary. Arshakyan expressed hope that Hungary will adopt a supportive stance toward this initiative.

He also welcomed the reopening of embassies in Budapest and Yerevan, calling it an important step for strengthening bilateral ties. Arshakyan highlighted the role of parliamentary cooperation, particularly through friendship groups.

He informed his guest about the current regional situation and ongoing peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, referencing the Washington joint declaration, the initial peace agreement, and the TRIPP project.

“The concept of promoting peace and cooperation was reinforced on January 22, when Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, took part in the ceremonial signing of the Peace Council Charter at the World Economic Forum in Davos as a founding member. It is encouraging that Hungary also participates in this important platform,” Arshakyan noted.

He also raised the issue of Armenian prisoners illegally held or missing in Azerbaijan, underlining Armenia’s appreciation of Hungary’s efforts in addressing humanitarian matters. He recalled that in December 2021, five Armenian POWs returned to Armenia with support from the Hungarian government.

In response, István Jakab praised the warm and friendly relations developing between the two countries, noting the dynamic progress at both legislative and executive levels. He emphasized the importance of advancing the peace process, stating that there is no alternative to peace. Jakab reaffirmed Hungary’s support for Armenia’s EU integration efforts and its backing of visa liberalization.

The meeting also covered opportunities to deepen economic ties and expand cooperation across various sectors. The role of the Hungarian-Armenian community was highlighted as a bridge between the two nations.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the Armenia-U.S. cooperation framework under the Trump Route to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) initiative during their meeting in Washington. The TRIPP document outlines the initiative’s implementation process but does not create legal commitments for either Armenia or the U.S.