At the talks (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto agreed on steps to boost bilateral ties across politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, culture, education-training, development cooperation, and national defence-security during their talks in Hanoi on January 12.
Szijjarto, who is in Vietnam from January 11-13, expressed his wish to further develop the traditional friendship and effective collaboration between the two countries.
He reiterated his support to the prompt signing of the Vietnam – EU free trade agreement and the EU’s recognition of Vietnam as a market economy.
Both sides consented to facilitate visits at all levels and continue to work closely together at regional and global forums, especially at the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting.
They pledged to maintain the annual deputy-ministerial political consultation mechanism and extend ties between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and other research institutes of the two countries.
On the same page, to improve the operation of the Vietnam – Hungary Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, the two countries will jointly hold seminars and trade promotion fairs, making it easier for goods to enter each market.
The Hungarian side assured all possible support to Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fisheries, garment and footwear industries in navigating its market.
The host, for his part, made it clear that Vietnam continually facilitates Hungarian investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, environment treatment technology, food processing and pharmaceuticals.
He appreciated Hungary’s provision of preferential credit for Vietnam and promised closer liaison to utilise official development assistance.
On regional and global issues of shared concern, host and guest agreed to further uphold each other’s role in fostering connectivity and cooperation between Southeast Asia and Central –Eastern Europe as well as the ASEAN-EU ties.
During a press conference following the talks, they informed the media that Vietnam and Hungary will continue joint work across national defence-security, education-training, culture-tourism, agriculture, health care and the environment.
Vietnam also hailed Hungary’s initiative to continue supplying credit to Vietnam and offer annual scholarships to 100 Vietnamese students, a two-fold increase from 50.-VNA
