Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held extensive political talks on Tuesday with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Siarto, during his visit to the Hungarian capital of Budapest.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Minister Shoukry began the talks by emphasizing the historical relations between Egypt and Hungary based on mutual respect and common interests.
Shoukry pointed out that the two countries share wide-ranging viewpoints and understanding on many issues, noting the strong political will of the leaderships of both countries to strengthen relations.
This was most recently illustrated by the President’s welcoming of the Hungarian Prime Minister in Cairo in February and March 2023, and by the fact that the visit has given impetus to bilateral relations and coordination on various issues.
The talks focused on ways of joint action to face the challenge of the global economic climate and its impact on both countries, particularly through the promotion of economic cooperation, trade and the exchange of experiences.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also praised the significant development in economic relations between the two sides over the past years, pointing in particular to the imminent finalization of the contract for supplying railway cars to Egypt.
This will be reflected in the development of Egypt’s transportation sector and its economic impact on the Hungarian economy.
The talks also focused on the importance of working within the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency.
In this regard, Minister Shoukry noted the opportunities available for Hungarian companies to establish production hubs that enjoy access to goods in the Middle East and Africa, especially in light of the fact that Egypt is a party to the Free Trade Agreement with the COMESA Group of States, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement.
For his part, the Hungarian Foreign Minister expressed his country’s desire to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in the cultural field, noting that Hungary provides 200 university scholarships, which contribute to the development of Egyptian capabilities and the strengthening of cultural ties between the two sides.
The talks dealt with a number of regional and international issues of common interest, foremost among them the Palestinian issue, to which the Foreign Minister stressed the need to reach a just and comprehensive solution, and the need to establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The situation in Libya, the conflict in Sudan and its serious regional and international impacts were also discussed, as well as the developments of the Ukrainian crisis and its repercussions.
Minister Shoukry was keen to address the efforts and the great burdens that Egypt is shouldering as a result of hosting millions of refugees and migrants.
He said Egypt treats this situation from a humanitarian perspective, which precludes forcing them to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. It also protects their integration into society by providing support, services and employment opportunities on an equal footing with Egyptian citizens.
This will require more EU support for Egypt as it shoulders a burden.
For his part, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade welcomed the Minister’s visit, which coincides with the 95th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Hungary.
The Hungarian Minister also highly appreciated Egypt’s position in dealing with the issue of illegal migration, especially with the current crisis in Sudan, calling on the European Union to increase Egypt’s support to deal with the consequences of this crisis.
The Hungarian Minister also discussed the steady cooperation between Egypt and Hungary in many areas.
The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding between Egyptian Quarantine and the National Bureau for the Safety of Hungarian Food Chains on cooperation in the field of quarantine and plant health.
They also agreed on the importance of continuous reciprocal visits and consultation on pushing forward bilateral relations.
