Istanbul: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Trkiye on December 8, 2025 marked the latest meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established in 2013. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted this significant meeting at the historic Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, where the Hungarian and Turkish leaders assessed the current state of bilateral relations. The meeting resulted in the signing of 16 agreements across a range of areas, including innovation, technology, defense, and economic cooperation.
According to Anadolu Agency, this year has been designated as the Hungarian-Turkish Year of Innovation, following the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year (2023-2024). This initiative was launched to commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Hungary was notably the first country to sign a friendship agreement with the newly established Republic of Trkiye in December 1923.
Hungarian-Turkish relations have advanced significantly in recent years, with bilateral trade nearing $6 billion. The leaders have set a new target of $10 billion for the coming years. Energy security was also a critical topic during the talks. The Turkish Stream gas pipeline, a strategic route for Hungary, supplies the majority of Hungary's natural gas imports, reflecting Trkiye's regional energy hub status.
Recent developments have positioned Trkiye not only as a transit country but also as a supplier, with Hungary beginning to import gas in 2024. The Hungarian oil company MOL Group and the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) have launched joint drilling operations in Hungary. Their cooperation extends to Azerbaijan, where MOL Group acquired shares in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil field in 2019.
The visit also launched a new Joint Consultation Mechanism to coordinate Hungarian and Turkish foreign and defense policies more closely. Despite being situated in different geographical regions, Hungary and Trkiye face overlapping geopolitical challenges. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Balkans are major concerns for both countries, leading to sustained cooperation in international missions such as EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Kosovo.
Facilitated by Trkiye, Hungary became an observer in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in 2018, adding a new dimension to its foreign policy. Since then, cooperation with the Turkic world has grown, with Hungarian embassies opening in all member states and trade expanding rapidly. Hungarian companies have established a significant presence, particularly in the energy and banking sectors.
Hungary aims to act as a bridge between the Turkic world and the EU, with thousands of students from OTS countries studying in Hungary under the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program. Cultural initiatives, such as the Great Kurultay, further strengthen these ties.
Hungary's diplomatic efforts, including its response to Trkiye's 2019 Peace Spring operation, make it a valuable partner for OTS members. In the current era of geopolitical transformation, OTS members benefit from increased cooperation. Hungary's hosting of the OTS informal summit in May 2025 demonstrated its role as a reliable partner in Europe.
In conclusion, Hungary and Trkiye have significantly strengthened their bilateral relations since 2013, enabling them to explore new areas of cooperation amid growing geopolitical and geoeconomic complexities.