PM Orbán Visits Türkiye for Seventh Strategic Council Meeting Amidst Enhanced Partnership

High-Level Strategic Talks Underway in Türkiye

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arrived in Türkiye on Sunday evening, December 7, 2025, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for the seventh meeting of the Türkiye-Hungary High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The visit, taking place on Monday, December 8, 2025, aims to deepen the 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership' between the two nations, addressing a wide array of bilateral relations and pressing global issues.

President Erdoğan officially welcomed Prime Minister Orbán with a ceremony at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. The Hungarian delegation includes a high-level ministerial contingent, underscoring the significance both countries place on these discussions.

Deepening Bilateral Cooperation and Strategic Partnership

The High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established in 2013, serves as a crucial platform for steering the strategic partnership, with meetings typically held every two years. The previous, sixth meeting, was held in Budapest in December 2023. This year's agenda includes a comprehensive review of the expanded strategic partnership, examining relations 'in all aspects,' according to Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish Presidency's Communications Director.

Ahead of the main council session, the inaugural meeting of the Türkiye-Hungary Joint Consultation Mechanism also convened in Istanbul. This mechanism involves key officials such as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Director İbrahim Kalın. Its purpose is to bolster cooperation in military, security, defense industry, and counterterrorism fields.

Economic Ties and Future Targets

Economic cooperation is a central pillar of the discussions. Prime Minister Orbán noted that the annual high-level meetings have significantly boosted bilateral trade, which has grown from €2-2.5 billion to €4.5-5 billion. Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced the signing of a Joint Declaration on Enhancing Bilateral Trade Relations, with bilateral trade volume reaching a historic $4.7 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, projected to exceed $5 billion by year-end and surpass $6 billion in 2026.

Key areas for economic expansion include:

• Increasing mutual investments
• Cooperation in contracting and defense industries
• Energy and logistics sectors
• Financial services

Both sides expressed readiness to deepen cooperation, with Türkiye appreciating Hungary's support in updating the Customs Union.

Regional and Global Issues on the Agenda

Beyond bilateral ties, the leaders are engaging in a 'thorough exchange of views on current regional and global concerns.' Prime Minister Orbán highlighted economy, migration, the war in Ukraine, and energy as the four main points of current negotiations. He emphasized Türkiye's role as a 'regional power' and the opportunity to discuss the situation in Europe and Eurasia 'as friends' with President Erdoğan.

Both Türkiye and Hungary share a perspective that 'war has only losers,' leading them to cooperate in promoting peace, particularly concerning the Russia-Ukraine war. Türkiye's efforts in facilitating agreements, such as delivering Ukrainian grain to Africa, were also acknowledged. The importance of the TurkStream pipeline for Hungary's energy security, providing cheaper Russian gas, was also underscored.

Discussions are also expected to cover other critical regions, including Gaza, Syria, the Balkans, and the South Caucasus. The visit is expected to culminate in the signing of various new agreements, with reports indicating up to 16 agreements to strengthen the contractual basis of bilateral relations.