Vietnamese PM holds talks with Hungarian counterpart, affirms valuing ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban - Photo: baochinhphu

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always treasures developing ties with traditional friends in Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary as a priority partner.

In reply, Viktor Orban showed his gladness in his visit to Vietnam and stated that Hungary always considers Vietnam as a prioritised, traditional, friendly partner in the region and wishes to boost all-around ties with the country.

The two PMs agreed that the bilateral economic and trade cooperation has showed progress recently. However, the cooperation results remained modest compared to potential and expectation from the two countries.

Therefore, they agreed to further improve the efficiency of the Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation mechanism, increase trade and investment by facilitating the two countries’ businesses to form a network and navigate each other’s market, especially in the fields of Hungary’s strength and Vietnam’s demand, such as the exploitation of water resources, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, food processing and renewable energy.

PM Phuc praised Hungary for considering Vietnam as a priority partner in its official development assistance (ODA) policy by granting total preferential loan of EUR535 million EUR, EUR440 million of which was set within the framework agreement on financial cooperation signed in January 2017. He spoke highly of the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the framework agreement on financial cooperation. On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Hungarian government for assisting Vietnam in building the Can Tho Oncology Hospital, via its preferential loans.

The two PMs witness the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries

They reached a consensus on the specific measures required to reinforce the links across education-training, culture-tourism, labour, health care, natural resources-environment and national defence-security.

The Vietnamese PM thanked the Hungarian government for offering 200 scholarships to Vietnamese students each year, and suggested increasing the scholarships for those majoring in health care, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and information technology.

Both the host and guest lauded the mutual liaison between the two countries at global and inter-regional forums. The Vietnamese PM thanked the Hungarian government for supporting Vietnam’s bid to run for a seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and welcomed Hungary’s active role in the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube cooperation mechanism.

The guest affirmed Hungary supports Vietnam in enhancing its ties with the European Union, including the early signing and ratification of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. He committed all possible support to Vietnamese nationals living in the country, thus making it easier for them to serve as a bridge for bilateral friendship and collaboration.

Following the talks, the two PMs hosted a press conference, issued a joint statement and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements on finance, culture, education, agriculture, labour, information technology and communications, and a twining agreement between the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and a Hungarian city.