Vietnamese, Hungarian PMs affirm valuing ties during talks

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

PM Phuc praised Hungary for considering Vietnam a priority partner in its official development assistance (ODA) policy by granting a total preferential loan of 535 million EUR, 440 million EUR 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. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Hungarian government for assisting Vietnam in building Can Tho Oncology Hospital via its preferential loans. 

The two PMs agreed to further improve the efficiency of the Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation mechanism, increase trade and investment by making it easier for the two countries’ businesses to form networking and navigate each other’s market, especially in fields of Hungary’s strength and Vietnam’s demand such as the exploitation of water resources, environment protection, pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, food processing and renewable energy. 

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

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

Host and guest lauded 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. 

Hungary supports Vietnam in enhancing ties with the European Union, including the early signing and ratification of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, he said. 

In the East Sea issue, they underscored the need to deal with disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law. 

The Hungarian PM 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.