Iran FM stresses expansion of relations with Hungary

Iran and Budapest enjoy good potentials to expand bilateral relations, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday. He made the remark when new Hungarian Ambassador to Tehran George Petto was delivering a copy of his credentials to him. Welcoming Petto, Salehi called for development of bilateral relations between Tehran and Budapest. Pointing to the historical relations between Tehran and Budapest, for his part, Hungary's new ambassador said that his country is willing to develop relations with Tehran in various fields including economy. Iran and Hungary are strategically located in two important regions of the world. Iran can be Hungary’s gateway to Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Persian Gulf, and West Asia, and Hungary can become Iran’s gateway to Central and Eastern Europe. As a result of economic development, Hungary’s energy needs are on the rise and the country has no choice but to diversify its sources of energy. The Islamic Republic of Iran, with its large reserves of oil and gas, is a secure source of energy. Iran and Hungary established diplomatic relations in 1939. After the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, relations between Iran and Hungary witnessed remarkable development.