Hungarian FM Szijjártó Péter’s visit to enhance effectiveness of Vietnam-Hungary Comprehensive Partnership: Ambassador
WVR - The visit of Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter reflects Hungary's appreciation for its relationship with Vietnam, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán witnessed the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest on January 18, 2024. (Source: VGP) |
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 18-19, 2025.
On this occasion, in his interview with The World and Vietnam Report, Ambassador Bui Le Thai underscored the significance of the visit and highlighted key events set to take place in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Hungarian diplomatic relations (February 3, 1950 – 2025).
Ambassador Thai emphasized that the visit is expected to open up many new cooperation opportunities, contributing to the strengthening and development of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries and bringing the relationship to deeper and more effective levels.
The visit also serves as an opportunity for both sides to review the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in recent times and assess the implementation of signed cooperation agreements, particularly those signed during the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Hungary in January 2024. Additionally, it provides a platform to discuss preparations for the 10th session of the Vietnam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation, aiming to implement measures to further strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the fields of economy, trade, and investment.
In 2025, Vietnam and Hungary plan to organize various practical activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, including high-level delegation exchanges and cultural, trade promotion, and investment events. The visit of Minister Szijjarto Peter will help promote and prepare for these activities, the Ambassador noted.
According to Ambassador Thai, the relationship between the two countries is built on a foundation of deep political trust and mutual understanding, maintained and nurtured throughout Vietnam's struggle for national liberation and unification, as well as during the current period of renewal and national development. President Ho Chi Minh played a significant role in laying the groundwork and developing this traditional friendship.
The respect that the Hungarian Government and people have for President Ho Chi Minh, along with their goodwill, support, and valuable assistance during Vietnam's struggle for independence and national unification, have made this Central European country a close and loyal friend of Vietnam over the past 75 years, Ambassador Thai underscored.
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| Hungarian President Sulyok Tamás warmly received Ambassador Bui Le Thai. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Hungary) |
Over the past seven decades, the relationship between the two countries has made remarkable progress, reaching a milestone when the two sides elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in September 2018 during the visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Hungary. This made Hungary the first Comprehensive Partner of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe, opening a new phase of development in bilateral relations.
Since the upgrade to a Comprehensive Partnership, bilateral trade has significantly increased, surpassing the $1 billion mark, making Vietnam one of Hungary's largest trading partners in Southeast Asia, Ambassador Thai noted.
Hungary considers Vietnam a priority in its official development assistance (ODA) policy, committing 440 million Euro (about 465 million USD) in concessional loans to implement projects in priority areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Currently, Hungary is the country that offers the most scholarships to Vietnamese students in Central and Eastern Europe, with around 200 scholarships annually. Hungary was also one of the first countries to ratify the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the first EU member state to approve the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Additionally, the two countries have signed numerous cooperation agreements across almost all fields, creating a vital legal framework and a solid foundation to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation in a practical and effective manner, the Ambassador went on.
Notably, in 2017, the Communist Party of Vietnam and Hungary's ruling Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation between the two parties, establishing a strong political foundation for the relationship between the two states.
Additionally, regular and periodic exchange mechanisms between the two countries, such as political consultations at the Deputy Foreign Minister level and meetings of the Vietnam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation, have been maintained. People-to-people exchanges, as well as cultural, sports, and tourism cooperation, have been vibrant and diverse.
As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations in 2025, Ambassador Thai informed, Vietnam and Hungary will organize a series of high-level delegation exchanges, cultural events, and business forums aimed at fostering economic and diplomatic ties.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Hungary has planned a range of activities, including Vietnam Culture Day, exhibitions on bilateral relations, a traditional Ao dai fashion show at the Hungarian Parliament, and a special publication highlighting historical milestones in the Vietnam-Hungary partnership.
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| Ambassador Bui Le Thai attended the program celebrating International Women's Day on March 8 with the Vietnamese community in Hungary. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Hungary) |
On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday, the Embassy will coordinate with the authorities of Zalaegerszeg City, where a Statue of President Ho Chi Minh is located, to organize a seminar on his ideology of peace, independence, freedom, and happiness.
An important pillar of bilateral relations is the Vietnamese community in Hungary, which has been actively contributing to the local economy while serving as a bridge between the two nations. The Vietnamese Embassy is currently advocating for the Hungarian Parliament and Government to recognize the community as an official ethnic minority, further integrating them into Hungarian society.
"I believe that high-level visits and these activities will play an important role in strengthening political trust, mutual understanding, and promoting people-to-people exchanges, further solidifying the strong friendship between Vietnam and Hungary in this special year”, Ambassador Bui Le Thai concluded.
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