December 4, 2012 - 14:04 AMT
Safarov payoff: 'House of Hungary' to open in Baku

Baku seems to be already paying off for the extradition of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan’s axe-killer Ramil Safarov.

According to Trend news agency, a delegation led by member of National Assembly of Hungary and co-chair of the Azerbaijani-Hungarian intergovernmental economic commission Péter Szijjártó will pay an official visit to Baku.

The Hungarian delegation will comprise representatives from various economic sectors, including banking, tourism and Wizz Air airlines, with meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev on the agenda.

The delegation will also attend the opening ceremony of the 'House of Hungary' in Baku.

Trade turnover between the two countries in 2012 amounted to $13.397 million, $13.3 million of which account for imports.

According to Azeri media outlets, relations between Baku and Budapest intensified following the transfer of Ramil Safarov to Baku, with Azerbaijan and Hungary expressing mutual readiness to “expand economic ties” and deepen cooperation in the field of education.

Ramil Safarov, Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan, was extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by President Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary.

Hungary, however, states that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that Safarov's sentence, which included the possibility of parole after 25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian Prime Minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a news conference on Tuesday September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.