Central Asia and Organization of Turkic States in Hungarian Foreign Policy

It can be noted that Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán, adopts a pragmatic approach when addressing international and regional issues. The Eastern Opening program, launched in 2010, was an important strategic initiative that demonstrated Hungary’s pragmatic foreign policy approach. The strategy of Eastern Opening has sped up Hungary’s relationships with the Eastern hemisphere and cleared the path for the development of efficient cooperation mechanisms. One of the main priorities in the Eastern Opening strategy has been to establish and develop relationships with Central Asian states. Effective cooperation opportunities, particularly regarding energy security and transportation, have arisen in this context. The strategic framework of relations has further expanded with Hungary’s inclusion as an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in 2018.