BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Syrian refugee crisis with visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Thursday.

The two men also discussed the need to boost bilateral ties in various fields and the importance of continuing to foster an exchange of expertise between the two countries.

The meeting also dealt with the situation in the Middle East, particularity in Syria, and underlined the need to help Lebanon cope with the growing influx of Syrian refugees.

Following the talks at the Presidential Palace in suburban Baabda, Orban said his country was interested in expanding its relations with foreign countries.

The Hungarian leader said a series of cooperation agreements in the political and educational fields will shortly be signed.

He also expressed his desire for investments between the two countries, noting that his country has highly-experienced companies in the field of energy and would like to participate in the international tender for oil and gas extraction in Lebanon.

Orban said the door to military cooperation between the Lebanese Army and Hungary is open in terms of training and equipment.

Sleiman, for his part, stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, pointing to the importance of continuing to promote the exchange of expertise.

Orban also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Talks with both leaders addressed the crisis in neighboring Syria, as well as bilateral ties between Lebanon and Hungaria.

Mikati explained to the Hungarian official the dissociation policy Lebanon has followed regarding the crisis in the neighboring country.

According to the prime minister, “priority should be given to ending the bloodshed in Syria and then reaching a political solution.”

For his part, Berri said that Europe can play an important role to help reach a political solution in Syria.