Armenia–Hungary relations
Armenia–Hungary relations refer to the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary.Background
Since the end of World War II, the two countries were under communist domination as both Hungary and Armenia was a satellite state and the constituent republic of the Soviet Union respectively.
Diplomatic relations between the two nations started at the end of the Cold War, mainly with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
There are around 15,000 people of Armenian descent living in Hungary.Severing of diplomatic relations
On 31 August 2012, Armenia severed relations with Hungary following the extradition of Ramil Safarov – convicted of murdering Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan in Hungary in 2004 – to Azerbaijan in exchange for a $7 million dollar bribe. Safarov was pardoned upon returning to Azerbaijan. Relatives of the murdered officer sued Hungary and Azerbaijan for violating Articles 2 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. European Court of Human Rights recognized governments of Hungary and Azerbaijan as respondents in this case.
In Yerevan, protesters threw tomatoes at the building of Hungary's honorary consulate and tore down the flag of Hungary. The United States also criticised the decision to free Safarov. In April 2013, Armenia’s acting Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan said that "Armenia ready to settle relations with Hungary, but Budapest should undertake steps".
