Deputy prime minister Ivo Hristov met Hungary's deputy prime minister and foreign minister Anita Orban in Budapest, the Bulgarian Council of Ministers said. It said the two countries have no open issues, and both sides confirmed their interest in the vertical gas corridor.

The meeting took place today at Hungary's foreign ministry. Hristov is in Budapest from 22 to 24 October for the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and fight for freedom.

Hristov thanked Hungary for inviting him to the commemorations. He said the 1956 revolution was a historic event and a symbol of the drive for freedom and democracy, and that the events of that time inspired later democratic movements in Europe.

The two talked about security and stability in the region and the world, giving most attention to the situation in Europe and the Black Sea region. They also discussed political developments in both countries and said the new governments face similar tasks.

Hristov and Orban said they are happy with relations between the two countries and want to keep up an active political dialogue. They want closer cooperation in trade, investment, energy, connectivity and tourism. Sofia and Budapest agree on many issues on the European agenda. In the alliances they both belong to, the two countries plan to work more closely together for European stability.

Orban thanked Bulgaria for the welcome and the organisation of her visit to Sofia on 19 October. That day marked 10 years since Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship Day was set. Parliament chose the date in a decision on 15 September 2016. On 19 October the Bulgarian Orthodox Church also marks the feast of St John (Ivan) of Rila the Wonderworker. Orban said her talks with Bulgarian foreign minister Velislava Petrova covered bilateral and international issues. Because of the busy political dialogue and her visit to Sofia, she called this week "Bulgaria week".

At the start of the week, Petrova and Orban opened an exhibition at the foreign ministry building on the history of the Lajos Kossuth House Museum in Shumen, to mark Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship Day.