Iran, Hungary Weigh Plans for Closer Trade Ties

In a meeting in Tehran on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto discussed the issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

In the meeting, Amirabdollahian reviewed the bilateral economic, political and cultural relations, and expressed hope that Szijjarto’s trip and the upcoming plans would bring about changes and development of relations between Tehran and Budapest in various fields.

The Iranian foreign minister also described the historical relations between Iran and Hungary as an opportunity.

He said although the ties have at times been affected by some issues resulting from the actions of third parties, they can be put on track toward progress and development through adopting a proper and balanced approach, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

Amirabdollahian also touched on the issue of economic relations and referred to the second session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation during the Hungarian foreign minister’s visit to Tehran.

He underlined the need to review bilateral cooperation based on existing capacities to increase economic and trade cooperation on both sides.

The Iranian foreign minister also stressed the activation of private economic sectors in the two countries and the removal of barriers to ties and exchanges of delegations, especially regarding the issuance of visas.

The mutual acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination certificates between the two countries is an important step toward removing the barriers to traffic and communication between the citizens of the two countries, including businessmen, students, professors and other sectors, Amirabdollahian noted, describing the measure as good and valuable.

He also described the presence of more than 2,500 Iranian students and professors in Hungary as a good opportunity to help expand mutual cooperation in various fields.

The top Iranian diplomat then welcomed the approach of the Hungarian government to develop cooperation in the cultural field and described the activities and cooperation of the two countries in this area as the basis for working in other fields.

For his part, Szijjarto expressed pleasure at his presence in Iran and at the preparation of the second meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation. He also emphasized his country's view on cooperation based on mutual respect.

The Hungarian foreign minister said his country’s people have cultural interests, and, therefore, emphasized the interest and respect of Hungarians for Iran due to its ancient history, culture and civilization.

Szijjarto further expressed hope that Iran and Hungary would cooperate in the field of cultural heritage and museums.

Referring to the economic delegation accompanying him for the purpose of holding the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, he outlined trade exchanges between the two countries and cooperation in the field of transportation and transit.

The Hungarian diplomat also outlined his country's vision for expanding cooperation with the East and Asia in line with the policy of the country’s government since 2010.

In the meeting, the foreign ministers of Iran and Hungary also discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan, particularly with regard to refugees, terrorist and extremist groups in the country, Iran’s principled view supporting the formation of an inclusive government with the presence of all ethnic groups, and the dire condition of the Afghan people and their hardships in terms of food and medicine.

Meanwhile, Amirabdollahian thanked Hungary for donating vaccines for inoculating the Afghan people and outlined the achievements of the recent meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors in Tehran.

The other issues discussed at the meeting included the migration of Afghans to other countries due to the current situation in Afghanistan, various developments and views in the European Union, Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Vienna talks.