Hungarian PM Meets Suleiman, Miqati: There Can Be No Stability in Region without Stable Lebanon
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban highlighted on Thursday the importance of Lebanon's role in the Middle East, while hoping to bolster ties Lebanese-Hungarian ties.
He said after meeting Premier Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail: “There can be no stability in the region without a stable Lebanon.”
He described his talks with Miqati as a success, revealing that a number of trade and cooperation agreements had been signed.
“Lebanon's political system is very important and we have directed great attention to the country given the regional situation,” he said.
For his part, Miqati said: “This was a successful trip seeing as both sides are keen on bolstering economic ties and this issue will be followed up by the concerned ministries and authorities.”
On the situation in Syria, he explained during his meeting with Orban Lebanon's policy of disassociation regarding the situation in Syria.
He remarked: “Priority should be placed in ending the bloodshed in Syria and then reaching a political solution.”
Orban had arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday where he held talks earlier on Thursday with President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri.
Suleiman thanked Hungary for its contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
“We hope to bolster and develop bilateral relations in all fields,” he added.
Orban meanwhile expressed his country's aim to “expand its foreign relations”, hoping that Lebanon would be at the heart of this policy in the Middle East.
Moreover, he noted that his country has highly-experienced companies in the energy sector and they would be willing to contribute to Lebanon's efforts to drill for offshore gas and oil.
Orban stated that his country is willing to bolster military cooperation between the Lebanese and Hungarian armies.
Discussions between Suleiman and the Hungarian premier also tackled the situation in the Middle East and Syria and the need for Lebanon to harbor Syrian refugees.
After meeting Suleiman, Orban headed to Ain el-Tineh for talks with Berri, who stressed the important role Europe can play in order to achieve the political solution in Syria.
Orban hoped to develop ties and cooperation between Hungary and Arab countries, especially Lebanon.
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