Armenia–Hungary relations

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

Armenia – Hungary relations

Armenia
Hungary

Background

Since the end of World War II, the two countries were under communist domination as both Hungary (Hungarian People's Republic) and Armenia (Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic) was a satellite state and the constituent republic of the Soviet Union respectively.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations started at the end of the Cold War, mainly with the dissolution of the Soviet Union 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. Also rumors spread this was carried out in exchange for a $7 million bribe.[1][2][3] Safarov was pardoned upon returning to Azerbaijan. Relatives of the murdered officer sued Hungary and Azerbaijan for violating Articles 2 (right to life) and 14 (prohibition against discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights. European Court of Human Rights recognized governments of Hungary and Azerbaijan as respondents in this case.[4]

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.[5] 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".[6]

See also

References
  1. Report: Azerbaijani Laundromat May Have Helped Secure Ax-Murderer Ramil Safarov's Extradition, The Armenian Weekly, 7 September 2017 (status November 2020: accessible)
  2. Paul Radu, Khadija Ismayilova, Tamas Bodoky,Leyla Avshar. Azerbaijan's High-Profile Beneficiaries, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), 5 September 2017 (status November 2020: accessible)
  3. Remarks by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the Meeting with the Heads of Diplomatic Missions Accredited in the Republic of Armenia, The Office to the President of the Republic of Armenia, 31 August 2012 (status November 2020: accessible)
  4. Azerbaijan and Hungary governments recognized as respondents in Safarov case
  5. "Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Azerbaijan's Decision to Pardon Ramil Safarov | The White House". Whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. "Armenia ready to settle relations with Hungary". Tert.am.
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