President Marcos Jr. yesterday expressed the Philippines intent to forge new areas of cooperation and partnerships with Hungary in a bid to strengthen the economic ties between the two nations.
The President, in welcoming Hungary Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó in Malacañang, highlighted the two nations’ 50 years of formal ties.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Hungary were established in September 1973.
“I hope that with all that is happening around the world and all of the opportunities, of course there are challenges, and all the opportunities also that is — that we’ll be able to hopefully forge new relationships,” Marcos said.
Szijjártó thanked the President and other Philippine officials for the warm welcome accorded him and delegation. It was his third visit to the country as foreign and trade minister. The first was in 2017 and the second in 2020.
He said that over the years, he has been working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs which has contributed to the vibrant relationship between the Philippines and Hungary.
The Presidential Communications Office said Hungary has been “generally supportive of the Philippines in European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) discussions on human rights and alleged extra-judicial killings in accordance with Hungary’s policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries.” — Jocelyn Montemayor
