Deputy prime minister Ivo Hristov met Hungarian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Anita Orban in Budapest today to discuss ties between their countries and security in the region and the world, the Council of Ministers said.
The two confirmed that Bulgaria and Hungary share an interest in building the vertical gas corridor. Security in Europe and the Black Sea region got the most attention.
The meeting took place at Hungary's foreign ministry. Hristov is in Budapest from 22 to 24 October for events marking 70 years since the 1956 Hungarian revolution and fight for freedom.
They also discussed domestic politics in both countries and the priorities of the new governments, which they said face similar tasks. Hristov and Orban said they are happy with relations and that there are no open issues between Bulgaria and Hungary.
They said political dialogue will stay active. Both countries want closer cooperation on trade, investment, energy, connectivity and tourism. Their positions on many items on the EU agenda are close.
Hristov and Orban are ready to work more closely in the alliances both countries belong to, to keep Europe stable. More high-level contacts are planned.
Orban called this week "Bulgaria week" because dialogue is active and she visited Sofia on 19 October. The visit marked 10 years since the date was set as the Day of Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship. She thanked her hosts for the welcome and the organisation, and noted her talks with foreign minister Velislava Petrova on bilateral and international topics.
Hristov thanked Hungary for taking part in the commemorations. He said the 1956 revolution has historic importance and stands for the drive for freedom and democracy. He believes the events of that year inspired later democratic movements and freedom struggles in Europe.
At the start of the week, Petrova and Orban opened an exhibition at the foreign ministry building on the history of the Lajos Kossuth house museum in Shumen. The Day of Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship falls on 19 October, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours St John (Ivan) of Rila the Wonderworker. The National Assembly set the date in a decision on 15 September 2016.