Promoting comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Hungary

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Hungarian Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bihari Katalin co-chaired the political consultation in Budapest on June 8 to discuss cooperation situation and directions between the two countries.

Previously, Le met with the Minister of State for Security Policy at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Sztáray.

Both sides hailed the growing traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Hungary over the past seven decades. They expressed their delight at holding the political consultation when the two countries celebrate the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive partnership.

Le hailed Hungary for considering Viet Nam a priority partner in its policy of strengthening and expanding ties with Southeast Asian nations.

The Hungarian side spoke highly of Viet Nam's recent socio-economic achievements and its role and position in the region and the world, affirming that Viet Nam is always a priority partner in Hungary's Look East policy.

The two sides vowed to further facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly those at high levels, and maintain the effectiveness of consultation mechanisms between the two foreign ministries to strengthen political trust and mutual understanding.

They expressed their satisfaction with the positive developments in bilateral trade cooperation, with two-way trade eaching US$1.2 billion in 2022, nearly doubling that in 2018 when the two countries upgraded their relationship to comprehensive partnership.

Both sides agreed to boost trade by fully and effectively implementing the EU – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and improving the effectiveness of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.

The Vietnamese diplomat thanked Hungary for being one of the first EU member states to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

She suggested Hungary support the European Commission (EC)'s removal of "yellow card" warning on Vietnamese seafood products, adding that both sides should work closely together to deal with obstacles in projects that are delayed.

On June 9, Hang met with the State Secretary of the Office of the President of Hungary, Schanda Tamas, and held a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy in Hungary./.