MOSCOW, September 26. /TASS/. The foreign ministers of Russia and Hungary, Sergey Lavrov and Peter Szijjarto, met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said.
"Russian-Hungarian talks are under way on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York," she wrote on Telegram.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement, the sides "exchanged opinions on key aspects of the UN’s work and on pressing international issues, including the situation around Ukraine."
They "synchronized watches on a broad range of practical issues of bilateral cooperation, with emphasis on implementation of agreements reached during the July 5 meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow," the statement says.
Lavrov's final meeting of the first day at the UN General Assembly was with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Juraj Blanar. The talks were closed for the media. The two diplomats had a "constructive meeting" to discuss "practical aspects of bilateral relations and energy cooperation, as well as pressing issues on the international agenda," the Russian foreign ministry said.
Other meetings on UN sidelines
Prior to that, Lavrov met with other diplomats and officials from international organizations on the sidelines of the 79th UN GA, including Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. They discussed ways of resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service said.
Lavrov and Aboul Gheit also "reaffirmed the importance of preserving close contacts between Russia and the Arab League for resolving crises in the Middle East and North Africa, and for strengthening security and stability in the region." The sides addressed pressing issues on the regional agenda, with special attention paid to recent developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict zone.
The subject was also raised during Lavrov’s meeting with Commissioner-General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees Philippe Lazzarini. The sides "reaffirmed the need for an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire, first and foremost in the Gaza Strip, to serve as an important prerequisite for ensuring durable and safe humanitarian access to those in need, assisting the release of hostages and re-starting the peace process on the internationally recognized basis that includes a two-state solution."
During talks with Foreign Minister of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the two diplomats "underscored their mutual determination to maintain intense political dialogue between Moscow and Havana and to broaden cooperation in priority areas, including trade." They also reaffirmed their determination to boost cooperation within the UN and on other global platforms for dialogue. Both sides called for an end to the trade, economic and financial blockade of Cuba and its exclusion from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Lavrov also met with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil Pinto. The sides "reaffirmed their commitment to building a truly multipolar world" and urged other nations "to refrain from using unilateral coercive measures as an instrument of interfering into the affairs of sovereign countries."
"The ministers noted the dynamic development of bilateral relations in line with their strategic partnership and agreed on measures to strengthen all its aspects."
Besides, the top Russian diplomat discussed various issues, including Ukraine, with Secretary of State of the Holy See Pietro Parolin. He also met with Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Valdrack Ludwing Jaentschke Whitaker.
Lavrov’s visit to New York
Lavrov arrived in New York to attend the events of the High-Level Week of the 79th UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the General Assembly on September 28. In the next few days, he will take part in some high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings, including events within the CSTO, BRICS, G20, and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations.