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Hungary to maintain high-level contacts with Russia — Hungarian top diplomat

"We do believe that the channels of communication must be kept open, because if we cut the channels of communication, then we diminish the chance for peace in the future," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said

SIRIUS /Federal territory/, March 27. /TASS/. Budapest has no intentions of cutting off high-level contacts with Moscow and all means of communications must remain open, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told TASS in an interview.

"It's obvious and goes without saying that we that we keep in touch with the Russian leaders," Szijarto said. "I myself, keep in touch with my colleagues, the [Russian] Foreign Minister [Sergey Lavrov], the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy [Alexander Novak], the Deputy Prime Minister for Industry and Trade [Denis Manturov]."

"We do believe that the channels of communication must be kept open, because if we cut the channels of communication, then we diminish the chance for peace in the future, because at the end, we will have to talk to each other," Hungary’s top diplomat continued.

"We do believe that diplomacy is about the ability of talking to each other, even if the circumstances are complex, and even if you do not agree on everything. It's not a big thing to talk to those with whom you agree on everything," he continued.

According to Szijarto, there are always spheres that are not a subject to the regime of sanctions.

"My question is why we will not improve our cooperation with Russia on fields, which are not affected by sanctions," he said. "Whenever there's a need for high level contacts."

"We are absolutely open. You know, last time, my Prime Minister [Viktor Orban] has met your President [Vladimir Putin] in Beijing, if there's a need to talk to each other, they can talk to each other at any time as I can talk to Sergey Lavrov, any time. Last time I did was on Saturday as I pressed the condolences of the Hungarian people towards the Russian people."

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