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Hungarian Foreign Minister Undertakes Historic Visit to the Philippines

05 December 2013 – Foreign Minister János Martonyi of Hungary will undertake an official visit to the Philippines from December 5 to 7 at the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. Minister Martonyi’s visit will be the first by a Hungarian Foreign Minister in the country. The two officials had previously met in the multilateral forum of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Minister Martonyi will meet with Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay and Commissioner Patricia Licuanan to discuss wide-ranging bilateral issues such as Hungary’s cooperation in the implementation of the Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation program, partnership in higher education, establishment of Hungarian mission in Manila as well as trade, investments and cultural cooperation.

The Hungarian official will also meet Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials in a lunch to be hosted by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan P. Garcia where they will discuss the 40th anniversary of Philippines-Hungary relations, re-opening of the Hungarian Embassy in Manila, and regional and international issues of common interest to the Philippines and Hungary.

Hungary was one of the first countries to offer humanitarian assistance. A medical mission arrived immediately in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. A mobile water purification plant capable of producing 100,000 liters daily is due to arrive on 07 December 2013.

Philippines-Hungary relations have enjoyed active exchange of trade while investments remained very minimal. Total trade between the two countries for 2012 is at US$ 156.5 million. Products traded are food, beverage, components, devices (semi-conductors), electronic data processing, pharmaceuticals, metal automotive parts, petrochemicals, intermediate and fabricated products.

There were less than a thousand Hungarian tourists who visited the Philippines last year, while there exists great potential in increasing tourism exchanges between the two countries. An estimated 200 Filipinos live in Hungary. END