Photo: Dmitry Feoktistov/TASS
SIRIUS. 27 March /TASS/. Budapest does not intend to cut off high-level contacts with Moscow and all means of communication must remain open, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told TASS news agency in an interview. "We are convinced that communication channels must remain open because if we cut them off, we will reduce the chances of peace in the future," the minister said.
"It is obvious and self-evident that we, that we maintain contacts with Russian officials," Szijarto said. "I myself maintain contact with my colleagues, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Alexander Novak, with Deputy Prime Minister for Industry and Trade Denis Manturov."
"We are convinced that the channels of communication must remain open, because if we cut them off, we will reduce the chances of peace in the future, because in the end we will have to talk to each other," the top Hungarian diplomat continued.
"We believe that diplomacy is about being able to talk to each other, even when circumstances are difficult and even when you don't agree on everything. Talking to those with whom you agree on everything is no big deal," he continued.
According to Szijart, there are always spheres that are not subject to the sanctions regime.
"My question is why we don't improve cooperation with Russia in areas that are not affected by sanctions," he said. "Whenever there is a need for high-level contacts."
"We are completely open. You know, the last time our Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with President Vladimir Putin was in Beijing. If they need to talk, they can talk any time, just like I can talk to Sergei Lavrov any time. The last time I did so was on Saturday, when I conveyed the condolences of the Hungarian people to the Russian people."
TASS/gnews.cz-JaV_07
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