Philippines and Hungary Hold 7th Political Consultations in Budapest

(From left to right) Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Frank R. Cimafranca, DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Deputy State Secretary for Development of Easter Relations Adam Stifter, Hungary Department of Faster Growing Economies Director General Emilia Fabian (Budapest PE photo)

BUDAPEST 30 September 2022 – The 7th Philippines-Hungary Political Consultations were held in Budapest on 26 September 2022, during which the Philippine and Hungarian delegations discussed various bilateral and global issues affecting both countries. 

The Philippine delegation was led by Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, who was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Frank R. Cimafranca and officers of the Philippine Embassy in Budapest. The Hungarian side was composed of delegation head Deputy State Secretary for Development of Eastern Relations Adam Stifter and officials from the Department of Fastest Growing Economies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The two sides noted the recent successful conduct of elections for both countries, the continued growth in bilateral cooperation, and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Hungary in 2023.

During the meeting, the two countries reviewed the status of pending agreements on financial cooperation and transport, as well as looked into ways to further utilize existing agreements on agriculture and science and technology, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and information technology.

And in response to the fast-growing number of Filipino workers being deployed to Hungary, both sides agreed to look into a possible bilateral labor agreement to govern the labor cooperation between the two countries. 

The Philippines thanked Hungary for continuing to provide educational opportunities for Filipino scholars to study in Hungarian universities via the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which annually allocates 35 slots for qualified Filipinos. Looking into possible energy solutions for the Philippines in the future, Hungary encouraged Filipinos to study nuclear engineering under the scholarship program.

The meeting also provided both sides an opportunity to exchange views on various regional issues affecting them, including the security situations in Southeast Asia, the South China Sea, and Europe. END

Philippine and Hungarian delegations exchange views on various issues during the consultations (Budapest PE photo)