Armenia ready to normalize ties with Hungary – FM

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia stands ready to normalize relations with Hungary, acting Foreign Minister said.

“However, Budapest must take appropriate measures,” Edward Nalbandian told a joint press conference with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. Official Yerevan suspended diplomatic ties with Hungary following the extradition and pardon of Ramil Safarov, Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan.

Hungary, however, states that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that Safarov's sentence, which included the possibility of parole after 25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian Prime Minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a news conference on Tuesday September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.