A new era has opened up in relations between Hungary and Iran, the Hungarian prime minister said in Tehran.

Viktor Orb�n had talks with several senior government officials and signed various bilateral agreements, such as one of avoiding double taxation and another on intensifying investments. The Hungarian Premier was greeted with military honours in the Iranian capital on the first day of his two-day official visit.



After talks with Iran�s first deputy president, Viktor Orb�n told a news conference that he welcomed Iran having �weathered� the period of sanctions and its return to the global economy and politics. �It is for us Hungarians a special experience to be here in Tehran, the centre of a great civilisation,� Orb�n said. �We have come here to represent a culture of respect,� he said, adding that the region and its complex issues cannot be stabilized without Iran.

There are 1,116 Iranian students studying currently in Hungary who will be key participants in shaping Hungarian-Iranian relations in the future, Orb�n said. Cooperation in this area should be deepened, he said. Eshaq Jahangiri, Iran�s first deputy president, said that he trusted Orb�n�s current visit would boost economic ties which had waned considerably over the past few years. He identified energy, agriculture, science and culture as prospective areas of cooperation. He said Iran welcomes Hungarian companies seeking investment opportunities in his country.

Before the press statements, the ministers of the two countries signed a number of agreements. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade P�ter Szijj�rt� signed an agreement with his Iranian counterpart on cooperation between the two countries� foreign affairs ministries, and a declaration of intent on economic cooperation. Minister for National Economy Mih�ly Varga signed an agreement with his Iranian partner on eliminating double taxation and the promotion of investment, and also concluded an agreement on heritage protection and tourism with the Tehran government�s responsible minister

Minister of Human Resources Zolt�n Balog and his Iranian counterpart signed an agreement on scientific cooperation and education, and a memorandum of understanding on medicine and health care. Minister for National Development Mikl�s Seszt�k signed an agreement on innovation in communication. The Hungarian delegation comprises several ministers and business leaders.

By Hungary Today