Speaking at the ceremony, Director of HCMC Department of Foreign Affairs Tran Phuoc Anh affirmed that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Vietnam. Vietnam was listed on Hungary's priority list for receiving development aid 20 years ago.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) that Vietnam signed with the European Union (EU) would be difficult to come true if Hungary did not actively support it. The 256.000 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine and the medical equipment that Hungary gave to Vietnam during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic are precious gifts of their friendship.
Tran Phuoc Anh highly appreciated the establishment of the Vietnam-Hungary Comprehensive Partnership in 2018, one of the first comprehensive partnerships of Vietnam with traditional friends in Central and Eastern Europe. The above information shows that the history and closeness of the two countries strongly affirm the beliefs and expectations of the leaders and people of Hungary and Vietnam towards the potential development of bilateral relations.
 |
| Director of the HCMC Department of Foreign Affairs Tran Phuoc Anh and the Consulate General of Hungary in HCMC Szilvia Szojka toasted to celebrate 73 years of establishing Vietnam-Hungary diplomatic relations. Photo: Minh Dung |
According to Tran Phuoc Anh, from a local perspective, although the economic-commercial cooperation between HCMC and Hungary has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the world political unrest over the past time, the initiative and positivity of HCMC and the relationship between HCMC and Hungary are still proven through various people-to-people activities, cultural, educational and healthcare cooperation bringing spiritual values and practical benefits to people of the two countries.
In her reply, Hungarian Consul General in HCMC Szilvia Szojka emphasized the importance of maintaining good diplomatic relations and historical ties between Vietnam and Hungary. She wished the two countries would recover their economy after the pandemic. She also recalled the successful events that the Consulate General of Hungary in HCMC had organized and participated in with Vietnamese partners, including the HCMC Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association in HCMC, Saigon Tourism Group, HCMC Tourism Company, Industrial University of HCMC, HCMC Film Association, HCMC Conservatory of Music, Vietnam National University HCMC, etc
Long Pham / Vietnamtimes
