Predictability is a key feature of the Russian-Hungarian relations, as stated by the Hungarian Prime Minister, Orban. And he has something to compare them to. A week ago, he had a quite different discussion. Orban was summoned to the European Parliament and scolded for being too independent and protecting national interests in terms of migration issues, for example. Today's meeting in Moscow was totally different.
Denis Davydov with the details.
Viktor Orban is a frequent guest in the Kremlin. He met with Putin this July, and this is yet another round of the negotiations. For some reason, the Hungarian interpreter decided to interpret Vladimir Putin, even though she couldn't hear well from the far chair and had to ask twice. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gestures: the protocol is violated. However, Putin didn't interrupt the lady and repeated his words when she asked him to. Hungary is definitely one of our key partners in Europe.
Vladimir Putin: "Hungary is definitely one of our key partners in Europe. Trade also shows positive dynamics. We have about $1 billion of mutual investments and good, highly promising, and ambitious projects that are being implemented".
The discussed topics were diverse, as were the guests: the Minister of Health and the Minister of Industry and Trade represented Russia. Together, our companies will supply more than 1000 cars for the Egyptian railroads. We also intend to cooperate in helicopter engineering and shipbuilding. Russia also produces medications under a Hungarian trademark.
Veronika Skvortsova, Minister of Health: "Up to 70% of them are vital. Over the last year, 7 new medications appeared at the market. These are innovative medications, some of them are unique".
The sides hope that the turnover will reach $10 billion a year. It's half-way there for now, but it's growing despite the sanctions.
Viktor Orban, PM of Hungary: "I cannot say that there has always been a favorable climate for our cooperation I mean the international climate. But all these unpleasant things exist for us to fight together. I think we are doing a good job".
The scheduled dialogue between Moscow and Budapest annoys many members of the EU. However, that doesn't bother Viktor Orban. This time, he visited Russia on the eve of an informal EU summit. The event will take place in a couple of days and one of its key topics is possible sanctions against Hungary. The EU wants to punish Hungary for its migration policy. Orban is adamant about not letting the migrants in. A Hungarian journalist asked Putin for his opinion.
Vladimir Putin: "If immigration is encouraged with high benefits and other support why would the inflow stop? I don't quite understand that. But, again, our European colleagues need to decide themselves what is better for Europe and its development".
Russia is the biggest oil and gas supplier to Europe and Hungary in particular. Budapest hopes that the TurkStream pipeline might go through its territory. Nuclear projects are also being developed. Rosatom will build two additional power units at the Paks Nuclear Power Plan. The station will produce 80% of the energy in Hungary.
Viktor Orban: "Nobody has done this before. We are NATO members and Russia is not. We are EU members and Russia is not. However, we have good technological cooperation. That was a bold decision, I should say. This project is the flagship of the cooperation between East and West".
Vladimir Putin: "This is not the only example of our cooperation with an EU country in nuclear energy. We are carrying out a similar project with Finland".
The meeting wasn't limited to business talk. The leaders also had a cup of tea together. Denis
Davydov, Irina Vinogradova Oleg Makarov, Oleg Shavyrin, and Maria Samsonova. Vesti
