Armenia–Hungary relations

Armenia – Hungary relations

Armenia

Hungary

Armenia–Hungary relations refer to the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and Hungary.

Background

Diplomatic relations between the two nations started at the end of the Cold War, mainly with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

There are around 15,000 people of Armenian descent living in Hungary.

Severing of diplomatic relations

On 31 August 2012, Armenia severed relations with Hungary following the extradition of Ramil Safarov – convicted of murdering Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan in Hungary in 2004 – to Azerbaijan. Safarov was pardoned upon returning despite the assurances of the Ministry of Justice to Hungary that his sentence would be enforced. The move follows a deteriorating Armenian-Azeri relationship since a ceasefire ended the Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994.[1]

In Yerevan, protesters threw tomatoes at the building of Hungary's honorary consulate and tore down the flag of Hungary. The United States also criticised the decision to free Safarov.[2] In April 2013, Armenia’s acting Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan said that "Armenia [was] ready to settle relations with Hungary, but Budapest should undertake steps".[3]

References

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