Hungarian Prime Minister Intends to Turn Over New Page in Russian-Hungarian Relations

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy believes that Hungary and Russia must mend their relations in order to guarantee fruitful cooperation in the future. According to Rosbalt's correspondent, Medgyessy made this statement yesterday while speaking at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy. Medgyessy said that over the last ten years Russia and Hungary 'have stopped understanding each other.' 'I came to turn over a new page in our countries' relations,' said the Hungarian Prime Minister.

'Today a democratic system is taking root in Hungary and Russia,' said Medgyessy. 'Reforms are being carried out, a market economy is developing.' He believes that all the conditions are now right to re-establish trust between the two countries and improve economic and cultural ties. However, the Prime Minister stressed that the most important thing was 'to re-establish friendly, respectful relations.'

Medgyessy also added that after the New York terrorist acts of September 11, 2002, Russia's position in world politics changed. He said that Russia had begun to play 'a stabilising role in the world, and it is very important for Hungary to have closer relations with her.'