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Hungary is striving to develop economic relations with Pakistan, which can be greatly helped by the fact that there are no outstanding political issues or disputes between the governments of the two countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in Islamabad on Thursday.
Speaking at the opening of the Hungarian-Pakistani Business Forum, the Minister stressed the importance of developing bilateral economic relations and pointed out that the two countries have never tried to interfere in each other’s internal affairs. “There are no outstanding political issues between the two governments, no political disputes, and this also means that there are no political obstacles to the development of business cooperation,” he emphasized.
He explained that he was accompanied on his current visit by seventeen Hungarian business leaders representing areas in which Hungary is among the world leaders.
He cited water management as an example, pointing out that Hungarian technologies are being used in many parts of the world, from South-East Asia to the Western Balkans and Africa.
Envisioning strong cultural and people to people ties, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto @FM_Szijjarto welcomed signing of MoUs and agreement on cooperation in the… pic.twitter.com/05HBxULC7D
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 17, 2025
He also referred to the food industry, explaining that Hungary has the strictest food safety standards in Europe, and the ban on GMOs is enshrined in the Hungarian constitution. “We produce twice as much as we consume. So we hope that our technologies can help you,” he underlined. He added that the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences has already been cooperating with several Pakistani food companies, especially in the development of seeds.
Péter Szijjártó noted that the experience in the field of medical technology is also good, as implants and ventilators of domestic companies are already present in the South Asian market. He also said that representatives of companies dealing with security printing, animal welfare, cyber security, information and communication technology are also present at the trip to Pakistan.
Delighted to receive H.E. Péter Szijjártó @FM_Szijjarto, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, at MOFA today. Held productive one-on-one discussions on strengthening Pakistan Hungary ties. Grateful for Hungary’s partnership & shared vision for deeper cooperation! pic.twitter.com/CYYl1koB2F
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 17, 2025
At a press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, Mr Szijjártó highlighted that
the most significant joint success story of cooperation between the two countries is the investment of Hungary’s largest company, MOL, in Pakistan.
He recalled that the oil and gas company has been present in the Pakistani market for 25 years, where it has invested more than $400 million and employs around 900 people. He also pointed out that
the Hungarian company is the second largest producer of crude oil and propane-butane gas and the fifth largest producer of natural gas in Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister welcomed the fact that the latter could be further expanded in the near future as MOL has recently made three new gas discoveries in the TAL Block and has now started working out a strategy for their exploitation. “This will contribute to the security of energy supply of Pakistan, which will contribute to the development of the local energy sector, which will also contribute to the growth of the Hungarian economy, because when the largest Hungarian company performs well so far away from the country, it brings good news and benefits to the national economy,” he emphasized.
Mr Szijjártó stressed that the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year and are also working to strengthen ties, including the signing of an agreement on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports.
Thank you, my friend @MIshaqDar50, for your hospitality as we mark 60 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan. The agreements signed today are based on mutual respect, sovereignty & our shared conviction that dialogue must replace lecturing & interference in global politics. pic.twitter.com/hFayIs8lfr
— Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) April 17, 2025
“We both believe in the importance of dialogue. We also believe that mutual respect should be the basis of international policy. And we believe that judgement, lecturing, cornering and criticizing each other, which has become the basis of international politics in recent years, has led to serious problems in world politics,” he stated.
We both believe that respect for sovereignty should be brought back as the basis of international politics, rather than interfering in each other’s internal affairs. Instead of dividing the world into blocs again, we should promote connectivity,”
he added.
Péter Szijjártó announced the signing of an agreement on cooperation in the field of culture and archaeology. In this context, he said that both countries have a rich historical and cultural heritage of which they are proud and which they do not want to give up.
He also stressed that both Hungary and Pakistan face significant security challenges in their respective neighborhoods. He pointed out that despite international efforts, the terrorist threat in Afghanistan remains very strong, with the risk of new illegal immigration flows towards Europe, and that Hungary therefore appreciates Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.
The Minister also emphasized that
the European Union needs reliable partners, and Pakistan is one of them, and Hungary is therefore in favor of extending the GSP+ scheme beyond 2027, which will ensure duty-free trade between the two parties.
Finally, Mr Szijjártó touched upon the issue of bilateral relations and welcomed the fact that the value of trade turnover has already doubled this year and several Hungarian companies have successfully implemented projects in the Pakistani market. He also noted that the government had implemented sixteen humanitarian programs to support Christian communities in the South Asian country. In addition, he explained that four hundred Pakistani students per year can study in Hungarian universities on scholarships.
Via MTI, Featured photo via Facebook/Szijjártó Péter