HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc held talks with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán following a welcoming ceremony in Hà Nội yesterday, affirming that Việt Nam always strives to develop ties with traditional friends in Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary. 

In response, PM Orbán stated that Hungary always prioritises its relationship with Việt Nam and wishes to boost all-around ties with the country. 
PM Phúc praised Hungary for considering Việt Nam a priority partner in its official development assistance (ODA) policy by granting total preferential loans of 535 million euro (US$635.6 million), 440 million euro of which was set within the framework agreement on financial co-operation signed in January 2017. 
He spoke highly of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the framework agreement on financial co-operation. 
On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Hungarian government for assisting Việt Nam in building Cần Thơ 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 network and navigate each other’s market, especially in fields of Hungary’s strength and Việt Nam’s demand such as the exploitation of water resources, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, food processing and renewable energy. 
They reached a consensus on specific measures to reinforce links across education-training, culture-tourism, labour, health care, natural resources-environment and national defence-security. 
The host thanked the 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 support between the two countries at global and inter-regional forums. The Vietnamese PM thanked the Hungarian government for supporting Việt Nam’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure and welcomed Hungary’s active role in the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube cooperation mechanism. 
Hungary supports Việt Nam in enhancing ties with the European Union, including the early signing and ratification of the European Union – Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement, he said.

Vietnam asks the European Union and Hungary to pay attention to issues related to the East Sea and raise a strong voice for the respect for 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 held 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 Cần Thơ and a Hungarian city.

Meeting with Việt Nam’s leaders

Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng hailed the visit to Việt Nam by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as marking a new step in the development of the two countries’ relations while welcoming him to Hà Nội.

He took the occasion to thank the Hungarian people for their valuable assistance to Việt Nam in the cause of liberation and nation building, affirming that Việt Nam always treasures the traditional friendship with Hungary as well as its current role and position in Europe.

He hailed the European country’s active support and practical cooperation with Việt Nam in recent years, especially in training personnel and helping the Vietnamese community in Hungary.

PM Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary treasures its traditional relations with Việt Nam and defines the country as an important partner with the longest term potential in Southeast Asia.

He spoke highly of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two ruling parties and expressed his hope for furthering the ties with the Communist Party of Việt Nam and heightening the bilateral relations in the future.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban also had a meeting with Việt Nam’s National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân. 
Ngân pledged that Việt Nam is completing its legal framework and will regularly supervise the implementation of signed deals between the two Governments, thus contributing to further bolstering bilateral ties. 
He spoke highly of the Vietnamese community in Hungary, who always respect the law of the host country. With about 3,000 Vietnamese people who live and study in Hungary, Việt Nam is considered one of the important partners of the European country in the region. 
PM Viktor Orban said many Hungarian businesses accompanying him during this visit are interested in seeking investment opportunities in Việt Nam 

Preferential loans

President Trần Đại Quang has called on Việt Nam and Hungary to continue close co-ordination to select which projects will be funded by Hungary’s preferential loans. 
At a meeting with visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hà Nội yesterday, the President applauded Hungary’s choice of Viêt Nam as a priority partner in its development co-operation policy. 
Noting with joy the strong friendship between Việt Nam and Hungary over the past 67 years, President Quang stressed that Việt Nam places importance to developing relations with traditional friends in East-Central Europe, including Hungary. 
He described PM Orban’s visit as a milestone in the relationship, helping to open up new co-operation prospects for the two countries. 
The President hailed the two countries’ collaboration at international forums, particularly within the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube co-operation mechanism. 
He suggested Hungary promote relations between Viet Nam and the EU, including the early official signing and ratification of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement. 
President Quang also thanked Hungary for creating favourable conditions for more than 4,000 Vietnamese to live in the country and called on Hungary to continue supporting them. 
For his part, PM Viktor Orban congratulated Việt Nam on its socio-economic achievements over the years. 
With the participation of many Hungarian ministers and more than 40 businesses, the visit is considered a new start for the bilateral relationship, the PM said. 
Hungary wishes to take part in a number of Viet Nam’s development programmes and open its door for Việt Nam to participate in Hungary’s development, he said. 
The PM told his host that Hungary has carried out several projects in Việt Nam in fields of agriculture and healthcare. 
He stressed that Hungary welcomes Vietnamese businesses to invest in the country and stands ready to link Viet Bam with other countries in East-Central Europe. 

Hungary will be the first EU nation to approve the EU-Việt NamFree Trade Agreement, he pledged.  — VNS