Hungarian construction companies to rebuild settlement recaptured by Azerbaijan

The foundation stone has been laid for the reconstruction of Soltanli in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was retaken by Azerbaijan in the autumn, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced on Friday that Hungarian companies will be allowed to rebuild the settlement: the works have been contracted to KÉSZ Csoport, which is ready to start as soon as possible. The reconstruction will allow five to six thousand people to return to Soltanli.

The Minister stressed that the Hungarian government immediately made it clear that it was ready to participate in the reconstruction of the affected region, and it was clear from the way to the village that a lot of work was ahead of the parties in this field. He recalled the agreement between Baku and Budapest to allow Hungarian companies to rebuild Soltanli. He said that the project would include the reconstruction of housing, community buildings, hospitals, schools, kindergartens and sports facilities.

Péter Szijjártó, the first EU Foreign Minister to visit the region, stressed that it would be desirable to sign a peace agreement to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible. "We Hungarians are peace-loving people, and we know that you are all peace-loving people. We believe that all the inhabitants of the region have the right to live in peace in the years, decades and centuries to come," he said. The minister said Hungary has been working for thirteen years to build a genuine strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, which is considered an important friend and ally.