Secretary Locsin Meets Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto deliver their statements to the Hungarian press. (Budapest PE photo)
BUDAPEST 19 February 2019 — With the aim of strengthening Philippines-Hungary bilateral political, economic, educational and cultural cooperation, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Budapest on 15 February 2019.
Secretary Locsin was invited to Hungary Foreign Minister Szijjarto, following the latter's visit to Manila in 2017 to reopen the Hungarian Embassy.
In his meeting with Foreign Minister Szijjarto, Secretary Locsin thanked Hungary for its immediate assistance of 10 million Hungarian forint to the victims of the bombings in Jolo last January, and for its solidarity with the Philippines in its fight against terrorism. The Philippines and Hungary also reaffirmed their concern and commitment to the protection of Christian minorities who are affected by violence in various conflicts areas worldwide.
Secretary Locsin also thanked the Hungarian government for its understanding and support for the Philippines’ domestic policies, including the fight against illegal drugs. The two ministers also pledged to continue supporting each other’s advocacies in various international organizations, with both countries being members of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Foreign Minister Szijjarto noted the advances made by the Philippine government in protecting the environment, such as the successful clean-up of the island of Boracay and the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister cited the initial steps made by Hungary on possible cooperation for the rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay. The foreign minister stated that Hungary has the water technology and expertise to support such projects.
Foreign Minister Szijjarto noted the increasing number of Filipino students availing of the “Stipendium Hungaricum,” which annually provides 35 higher education scholarships to qualified Filipinos to study in Hungarian universities. He urged that all scholarship spots be fully availed of in the coming years.
Secretary Locsin and Foreign Minister Szijjarto pledged to further enhance educational cooperation, as well as to create partnerships in the field of sports to assist Filipino athletes.
The two ministers acknowledged the growing trade relations between the Philippines and Hungary, and the increasing mutual interest between businesses from both countries in each other’s markets. Hungarian products have been introduced in the Philippines such as energy drinks, with meat imports possibly following.
To further boost trade cooperation, a visit by the Hungarian agricultural minister to Manila and the inaugural Joint Economic Commission in Budapest are scheduled in the first half of 2019. END
For more information, visit www.budapestpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHungary/.