Hungary is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan. Official Budapest recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 27, 1992. The Embassy of Hungary in Azerbaijan was opened on January 12, 2009. Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Hungary began operating in September 2004.
On November 11, 2014, a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership was signed between Azerbaijan and Hungary. There are direct flights between Baku and Budapest. Within the framework of the scholarship program implemented since 2014, up to 200 Azerbaijani students are given the opportunity to study at Hungarian higher education institutions every year.
Budapest has consistently supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Hungary has allocated financial aid for demining the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, and Hungarian companies are participating in the reconstruction of the Soltanli village in the Jabrayil district. Hungary is also building a school for 500 students in Soltanli village.
Hungary’s MOL and MVM Group companies hold stakes of 9.57% in the Azeri–Chirag–Gunashli (ACG) oil field and 5% in the Shah Deniz gas field, respectively.
In June 2023, an agreement was signed between SOCAR (the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) and Hungary’s state-owned energy company MVM CEEnergy for the supply of 100 million cubic meters of gas. Azerbaijan began supplying natural gas to Hungary in 2024.
Last year, Hungary’s Richter Gedeon pharmaceutical company signed an agreement to produce 90 types of medicines in Azerbaijan.
A strategic bridge
Located along the Middle Corridor, Azerbaijan plays an irreplaceable and decisive role in trade between Asia and Europe.
While Azerbaijan acts as a strategic transportation bridge between East and West, North and South, and between Europe and Asia, Hungary aspires to play this role between the Turkic states and Europe. Azerbaijan highly values Hungary’s potential contribution to the development of political and economic relations with the European Union.
Budapest, believing that it can ensure energy security with the support of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and other Turkic states, also aspires to act as a strategic energy hub. Hungary is confident that, with the support of its strategic partner Azerbaijan, it will succeed in this ambition.
An old friend is a true friend
As noted, a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership was signed between Azerbaijan and Hungary in 2014, and since then, bilateral relations have developed in the spirit of strategic partnership and friendship. During President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Hungary on May 20–21, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in an expanded meeting, expressed high appreciation for the support Azerbaijan extended during challenging times for Hungary’s economy. In his press statement, Mr. Orbán referred to President Aliyev as “an old friend of Hungary”, emphasizing that President Aliyev stood by Hungary during difficult days and expressed his deep confidence in him.
“Today, we see an old friend of Hungary. A friend is known in times of need, and for more than 20 years, President Aliyev has always stood by our side during any difficulty Hungary has faced in any field — whether diplomacy, the oil and gas industry, or other areas. Azerbaijan has assured us that we will be supplied with the necessary amount of gas. Hungarian MVM and other companies can increase their shares in oil and gas fields and pipelines in Azerbaijan. I am glad that we have a certain amount of gas reserves and barrels of oil at our disposal. This may not be a very large volume for Azerbaijan, but for us it is a very important issue that we are shareholders in the oil fields of Azerbaijan. This is important not only from an economic point of view, but also from a purely moral point of view. Thanks to this friendship, we feel less vulnerable,” said Orbán.
Two countries facing similar challenges
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also highlighted the character of relations between the two countries during his press statement: “We are friendly countries, and strategic partners. During today's negotiations and the meeting in a limited format, we once again saw that our positions on many issues coincide. When we observe the developments taking place in the changing world today, there is still no major difference in our positions. There are many similarities between Azerbaijan and Hungary. First, our historical roots. I know that the Hungarian people are very attached to their historical roots. The population of our countries is approximately the same, and the area of our countries are very close to each other. One of the similarities is that, as you also noted, Hungary is a landlocked country. Azerbaijan is also one of such countries. Although, we are located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, but we also have no access to the world ocean. You also noted that Hungary borders a country that is at war. We are in the same situation. You border one country that is at war, and we border another. So, these similarities naturally create a good basis for mutual understanding because we are facing almost the same challenges."
President Ilham Aliyev also highlighted the successful energy cooperation with Hungary, saying: "Hungarian companies have stakes in two major oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan - the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah Deniz fields. The next contract will be signed early next year. We also exchanged views on this today. A Hungarian company will begin operating in the onshore oil fields of Azerbaijan. We have been exporting natural gas to Hungary since last year. I noted today, and the Prime Minister noted here too, that we can arrange gas supply at the level of Hungary's demand. Our gas resource base is quite extensive and is expanding, new gas fields will be put into operation. Today, we export natural gas to 12 countries, and ten of them are European countries, eight are members of the European Union. The European Commission recognizes Azerbaijan as a Pan-European gas supplier and a reliable partner. If we look at the geography of our gas exports, we can see that Azerbaijan holds leading positions in the world not only in Europe, but also globally in terms of the geographical coverage of pipeline-based gas transportation. Our future plans include the development of gas reserves."
The head of state emphasized that in all other issues, Azerbaijan and Hungary are working together as two friendly and partner countries.
Golden era of Hungary–Azerbaijan relations
Hungarian experts also believe that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Hungary possesses a unique and strategic character.
Professor László Vasa, Chief Advisor at Hungary’s Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, stated that relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary are at the highest level across all sectors: “Since the onset of the Ukraine crisis and Europe’s decision to reduce reliance on Russian gas, Azerbaijan has become the number one alternative source of gas for Hungary. At the same time, Hungary has a pipeline infrastructure capable of delivering Azerbaijani gas to Central Europe.”
He also emphasized that Hungarian investors are proud to be active in Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Zoltán Egeresi, a researcher at the same institute, notes that relations between Hungary and Azerbaijan have truly entered a golden era in recent years: “Hungary has always supported Azerbaijan and its territorial integrity. On the other hand, Azerbaijan is a very important energy source for Hungary. Hungary is already importing gas from Azerbaijan, which is a critical development. Hungarian companies are also active in various sectors in Azerbaijan.”
Green agenda
Currently, the largest renewable energy project between Hungary and Azerbaijan is the Green Energy Corridor. The plan is to transmit renewable electricity from the Caucasus region to Europe via a submarine cable under the Black Sea in the early 2030s. Later, the energy connection is expected to be expanded through the construction of an underwater cable beneath the Caspian Sea.
"We are also working with Hungary on green energy. Azerbaijan has a very large-scale green energy agenda. We will produce 6,000 megawatts of green energy over the next five years. Over the past two years, 500 megawatts have been created, 6,000 megawatts will be provided over the next five years. I am stating all these figures based on contracts, that is, these are projects that will be implemented. Thus, these projects alone will enable us to save about 3-4 billion cubic meters of gas, the main destination of which, of course, will be Türkiye and European countries," the President of Azerbaijan emphasized in a press statement.
Professor László Vasa highly values Azerbaijan’s plan to deliver green energy to Central Europe, stating: “Alongside Azerbaijan and Georgia, countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have also expressed interest in joining this project. To achieve this, they plan to establish a deep underwater cable system beneath the Caspian Sea.”
National interests of Azerbaijan and Hungary
President Ilham Aliyev, known for his unwavering stance and determination in defending Azerbaijan's national interests, notably expressed high appreciation for Viktor Orbán's efforts in protecting Hungary's national interests.
"We know that Hungary is one of the few countries that pursues an independent policy. It is quite difficult to pursue an independent policy, especially within the framework of the European Union. Because there are many rules, many established principles, and the common foreign policy of the European Union is naturally one of the principles. Nevertheless, my friend Victor Orbán has always put the state and national interests of Hungary above everything else. We applaud this. He has always protected the interests of Hungary, joined initiatives that were beneficial to Hungary, and always avoided initiatives that were not. I repeat, pursuing this policy within the European Union, I can say, requires enormous heroism, requires political will, and requires a thought-out policy. Hungary has all of this. We hold great affection for Hungary, for these reasons and many more," the head of state stressed.
Special attention to Azerbaijan at the OTS Heads of State Summit
One of the main purposes of President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Hungary was to participate in the Informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
Zoltán Egeresi, a researcher at Hungary’s Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, stated that Hungary is also part of the Turkic world.
According to him, hosting the Informal Summit of OTS Heads of State in Budapest was a great opportunity to promote Hungary.
The preparations for the summit in Budapest — including the OTS and member state flags flying on the bridges over the Danube River, and holding the event at one of the city's prominent venues, the Várkert Bazár Pavilion — all highlighted this purpose.
At the Summit held on May 21, President Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijan were in the spotlight, receiving special attention throughout the event.
In his opening speech, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban touched upon the importance of the Summit and touched upon Azerbaijan-Hungary relations again, emphasizing the special importance of these relations being at a strategic level and saying: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev. Because last year, the first gas was transported from Azerbaijan to Hungary. This had never happened before. This is the first time it has happened. Let me assure you, Mr. President, that we will be able to repay this in the future. I would also like to thank President Ilham Aliyev for providing an opportunity for large Hungarian energy companies to work in the oil and gas sector in Azerbaijan. This has opened up new opportunities for us, as we do not have our own energy resources. The strategic importance of Azerbaijan-Hungary relations is of great importance for us.”
President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, expressing expectations that the Turkic Investment Fund will soon begin its project activities, stated in his speech that the Fund would serve as an important mechanism for supporting national priorities such as trade, logistics, infrastructure, digital economy, energy, industry, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
He highlighted the successful outcomes of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan Development Fund, which operates in Kyrgyzstan, as a clear example of positive experience in this area.
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for supporting the initiative to increase the export of hydrocarbon resources from Kazakhstan to Europe.
President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasized Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in ensuring stability in the South Caucasus.
President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, proposed that an agreement on strategic partnership, eternal friendship, and brotherhood between Turkic states be signed at the upcoming Baku Summit.
The Declaration signed at the Summit also placed special emphasis on the initiatives of President Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijan. The Declaration highly praised the success of the “Baku Process” as a pioneering initiative in promoting intercultural dialogue on a global scale, and Azerbaijan was commended for its continued leadership in this area. Support was expressed for the organization of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held in 2026. Azerbaijan’s successful hosting of the 29th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2024 was acknowledged, along with the Baku Climate Unity Pact, the principal outcome of the conference, and the initiatives undertaken under Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency. Furthermore, the readiness of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 12th Summit of the OTS in 2025 was highly appreciated.
Messages from President Ilham Aliyev
At the Summit, President Ilham Aliyev once again emphasized that Hungary is a reliable strategic partner of Azerbaijan. Another key highlight of the President’s speech was related to the development of transport infrastructure in Azerbaijan. This infrastructure, established over the years, holds strategic importance for the Turkic states in today’s world, which is facing constant change, crises, and conflicts.
"Our cooperation with the Turkic states in the transport sector is enhancing. In recent years, Azerbaijan has made substantial investments in highways, railroads, seaports, shipyards, and air transport. As a result, despite being a landlocked country, Azerbaijan has become one of the transport and logistics hubs in Eurasia. Cargo shipments from Türkiye and the Central Asian countries via Azerbaijan amounted to 11 million tons in 2024. We have created new cooperation formats with the neighboring countries, and established joint ventures. Last year, thanks to Azerbaijan’s investments, the cargo handling capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad - part of the Middle Corridor - was increased to 5 million tons. We place special significance on the digitalization of the Middle Corridor. Work is underway on a project for a single digital platform to streamline transport operations and trade between the Caspian ports.
With a fleet of over 50 trade vessels, Azerbaijan provides important transit services for the Turkic states. 10 new vessels are currently under construction at the Baku Shipyard. The cargo handling capacity of the Alat International Trade Seaport will reach 25 million tons from the current 15 million tons. There are currently eight international airports in operation in Azerbaijan. The ninth airport will be commissioned soon. Three of the nine international airports are on Azerbaijan’s territory liberated from Armenian occupation. Additionally, a cargo terminal with a handling capacity of 1, 5 million tons is currently under construction," the President of Azerbaijan said in his speech at the Summit.
At the same time, the head of state recalled that great successes were achieved at COP29. He also noted that during COP29, Presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement on the Development and Transmission of Green Energy. This agreement offers broad opportunities for our countries to export produced green energy to world markets via the Caspian Sea–Black Sea route.
Vision of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) for the Future
Overall, the 71-point Declaration signed at the Summit reflects the future vision of the Organization of Turkic States, including the expectations of the member states. The Declaration draws attention to the Cyprus issue and reaffirms the commitment of OTS members to continue joint efforts to combat all forms of terrorism and transnational organized crime, the financing of terrorism, and cybercrime, which pose threats and challenges to peace and security in the region and beyond.
In this context, Türkiye's constructive role towards the establishment of security and stability in Syria on the basis of its territorial integrity and unity, the achievement of an inclusive political process with the participation of all Syrian components, and the lifting of sanctions is highly appreciated. The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is expressed with deep concern. The establishment of a Working Group on Afghanistan-related issues within the OTS is welcomed.
Additionally, following the initiative of Azerbaijan, the OTS member states, and the President of Türkiye, the Secretariat is instructed to organize the celebration of Nowruz within the framework of the Organization.
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