Hungary reaches bilateral cooperation agreement with Maldives
FM Szijjártó welcomed Hungary's commitment to supporting the Maldives in various sectors.
Speaking in Malé on Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said that geopolitical rivalries are increasingly focusing on the Pacific region, which is why countries like the Maldives are becoming increasingly important.
He called the South Asian island state an important partner for both Hungary and the European Union because of its strategic geographical location and its role as a regional stabilizing power. In this context, he expressed his support for visa-free travel and duty-free treatment for fishery products.
Hungary is taking the fight against climate change seriously and is taking significant steps to protect the environment, being one of the 20 countries in recent years to increase its economic performance while reducing its emissions, Szijjártó said. He added that from next year, 25 Maldives students will be able to attend Hungarian universities instead of 15, and coaches and athletes will also be welcomed.
The FM also said that they would support investments by Hungarian companies in the Maldives, particularly in the field of water management, waste management, and tourism, and improve the development of the Maldives’ healthcare system with the help of domestically produced X-ray machines.
He welcomed Hungary’s commitment to supporting the Maldives, especially in the field of healthcare, and said that the morning’s discussions were extremely fruitful and will give impetus to further bilateral cooperation.
