BY MARUF BUZCUGIL AND HUSEYIN GOKCE
Q&A with Viktor Matis, Hungarian Ambassador to Ankara
HOW DO YOU EVALUATE TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP PROCESS?
We are closely watching Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership process, and we support it. We think that this membership process is a legal process. If there are political problems, they must be solved with other methods. We want to see Turkey within the EU.
Some problems should be solved in this process. There are many underdeveloped regions in Turkey, although big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara are overdeveloped. This problem should be resolved. However, no political obstacles should be imposed.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND HUNGARY?
The relations between the two countries were brought to a strategic level in 2013. According to our data, the bilateral trade volume, which was USD 2bn in that period, rose to USD 3.88bn and almost doubled in 2021. There is a difference in the trade balance in favor of Hungary, but these figures increase together.In terms of investments, Hungary offers the best incentives in the EU. That’s why Hungary is a natural investment area if Turkish companies want to invest in the Schengen Area and the EU. Moreover, Hungarian companies, which will export to this region, have started to discover Turkey. The bilateral trade volume alone isn’t enough for the Turkish-Hungarian relationship. Eximbank of the two countries inked a reassurance deal in February 2021 to revive bilateral relations. The Turkish and Hungarian Eximbank supports joint investments to be made in third countries. For instance, companies from the two countries can act together for water investments in Africa. Loans are more affordable and in good condition in Hungary now. The collaboration can be made not only in Africa but across the world.Hungary attracts a high amount of long-term investments. We announced to the public the investment of the glass company Sisecam last year exceeding EUR 200m. Sisecam chose Hungary as we offer good opportunities for investment.
HUNGARY IS ADVANCED IN WATER MANAGEMENT. IS THERE ANY CHANCE OF COOPERATION IN THIS FIELD?
Hungary is quite good and experienced in water management. 34 rivers enter Hungary while three rivers exit. If a mistake is made in the fields such as watershed management, wastewater and treatment facilities, all of them will be ruined. The Budapest Hydraulic Works is a 180-year-old company. Budapest has never been without water throughout its history, including during the world wars. Water loss, which hovers around 35-40% in Turkey, is below 10% in Hungary.
So, we are very good at water technology and water treatment, and we are ready to expand this in Turkey. Collaborations have started to be made in this field. Hungarian companies are continuing talks with Turkish contractors. The Turkish bank Vakifbank will launch a branch in Hungary soon so that we’ll strengthen in finance. This will be a very important step for investors as well as bilateral and direct trade. Moreover, we have more small-scale programs for SMEs, chambers of commerce and industry. We want to build our economic and commercial relations on comprehensive and solid ground. We aim to continue our existing businesses and revive businesses further with new ventures. We are trying to find municipalities that are interested in water management and want to explain ourselves.
We also have important logistics projects. We should link Turkey with Hungary through rail. This will be also useful in terms of the environment. Four countries, including Hungary, have made a project proposal and we will work on this as four countries. We should implement this project rapidly with Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary taking part.
WHAT PLACE DOES TURKISH CULTURE HOLD IN HUNGARY?
Hungary is also rich in terms of cultural tourism, especially for Turkish people. Turkish bath culture is the most famous aspect. Many people visit Budapest for its Turkish baths. We protected them and reconstructed a considerable number of healing and thermal baths in various places. In terms of health tourism, the largest healing water bath is located in Lake Hévíz, where people are treated. We also have festival tourism for the youth, with a focus on music and wine. It has become fashionable in Europe to visit Budapest. Very few young people in Europe have not visited Hungary.
I think that Turkish people should take a vacation for a week in Hungary if they want to see their own culture in Europe because they will have many places to visit. For instance, the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, which is located in Pécs, Hungary, is important. The tomb of Gul Baba located in Budapest has been renovated. There is a large, high-quality wine area around Egre. Moreover, the Great Hungarian Plain offers equestrian tourism. On the other hand, starting from December 18, 2023, the joint year of culture will be organized in 2024. Hungary will organize 100 major cultural activities in Turkey in this joint year of culture. Hungary will sign the Treaty of Friendship with Turkey on December 18, 2023. It is the first international agreement between Hungary and Turkey since the Republic of Turkey was established. We’ll start the year of culture on the 100th anniversary of the agreement and we’ll complete it on January 22, 2025, the day of Hungarian Culture. We’ll organize 100 very important cultural events to promote Hungary. That’s why we need human resources. Preparations have started, working groups have been determined in the two countries, and the Turkish working groups went to Hungary to determine locations. Turkey and Hungary will mutually promote themselves in other countries.
THE HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AND FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER RECENTLY HELD TALKS IN ANKARA. HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THIS DEVEL˹ OPMENT?
Apart from the meetings, the groundbreaking ceremony of our Embassy’s building was held. “The importance of Turkey increases each passing day in every aspect. That’s why we should send more diplomats to Turkey and further enrich our cooperation,” our Minister said at the event. Our new Embassy building will be ready in summer next year. The number of offices in the building will be greater than the number here. The number of diplomats was eight in 2010 when I was appointed to Turkey for the first time. Now, 16 diplomats are working. The number of diplomats doubled in 12 years.
“The bilateral trade volume alone isn’t enough for the Turkish-Hungarian relationship. Turkish and Hungarian companies can act together in third countries.”
