Promoting Vietnam – Hungary cooperation

During the last days of June, the weather in Hungary’s capital city of Budapest was warm and sunny and the central streets were bustling with tourists from all over the world.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the legislative conference between Vietnam and Hungary. (Photo: baodantoc.vn)
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the legislative conference between Vietnam and Hungary. (Photo: baodantoc.vn)

Visitors were waiting in long lines at ticket offices for tours to famous destinations in the city and the surrounding areas. The new normal life following the COVID-19 pandemic returned to a safe level, so most people in the city have not kept the habit of wearing masks in public spaces.

Despite the impact of the pandemic, Hungary’s economy has recovered, especially in trade, production, tourism and many other industries. The Hungarian Government issued an economic protection programme, which has provided support for the economic sector and people such as tax reduction for businesses, easing bank debts for people and salary and pension mechanism reform in many fields. Hungary's economic achievements have been recognised by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Present with the high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam during the first official visit by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Hungary in his new position, the leaders repeatedly emphasised the two countries’ over 70-year-traditional friendships as well as affirmed that Vietnam has always attached importance to and wished to strengthen the multifaceted cooperation with Hungary, which is the first comprehensive partner of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe.

Amidst the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and up to now, the leaders and leading businesses of Hungary still expressed their firm belief in the potential and prospects of cooperation between the two sides.

Hungary has considered Vietnam the most important foreign trade partner in Southeast Asia. The National Assembly, Government and people from the two countries had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past years. The leaders and political systems of the two nations have made strong and appropriate decisions related to epidemic prevention and control and economic stabilisation and recovery as well as set out a series of policies to avoid economic recession. Besides, there are many social security programmes to timely assist people.

Hungarian friends highly appreciated the positive developments in the relations between the two countries which were proved through high-level meetings and talks between the leaders. At official meetings, talks and seminars in the fields of economy, trade, investment, education-training and legislation, Vietnamese and Hungarian leaders reiterated the important milestone in 2018 when the two sides upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Partnership on the occasion of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to Hungary. The event demonstrated the determination of the two countries’ leaders in deepening their bilateral cooperation.

At a Hungary-Vietnam dialogue on economic, trade and investment cooperation, the leaders and the business communities from the two countries said the two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Hungary has continuously grown over recent years. Although the global economy has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade relationship data between Vietnam and Hungary is still very positive.

However, the above economic cooperation results are encouraging but still not commensurate with the cooperation potential of the two sides. Especially, Hungary’s strengths in the fields of industrial development, digital transformation, electronics, medicine, energy and hi-tech agriculture and agro-processing industry. These are also industries in which Vietnam has great potential.

At the Hungarian Parliament House, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Hungarian counterpart László Kövér co-chaired a legislative conference with a focus on the legal framework for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, renewable energy, and the green economy.

At the forum, the NA deputies and experts from the two countries openly discussed the issues and challenges that need to be solved to complete the legal framework on greenhouse gas and renewable energy, policies related to sustainable development, climate and green economy. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of Hungarian NA László Kövér directly exchanged, shared experiences and answered issues of interest of NA deputies, experts and scientists.

The conference was successful, gaining much information and valuable lessons. The leaders agreed that climate change adaptation and sustainable development are the issues that need integrated, multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary management. The sharing from Hungary showed the leadership of the Hungarian NA in setting up the National Council for Sustainable Development, chaired by the NA Speaker and featuring the participation of all sides, including the NA deputies and social sectors.

This is a very valuable experience for Vietnam to research and applies in its activities. The National Assembly of Vietnam must also continue to be proactive and lead this issue in the country’s development process as well as in the implementation of international commitments.

Despite a short time, the Vietnamese delegation is fortunate to meet great friends who have sincere and respectful emotions toward Vietnam’s people. At the first event of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President of Hungary – Vietnam Friendship Association, Botsz Laszlo, expressed his enthusiasm and aspiration to contribute his efforts to cultivate the friendship between the two nations.

Despite many complicated developments in the world’s situation, the solidarity and friendship between the two peoples will remain steadfast and unchanged, said Botsz Laszlo.