Bahraini; Hungarian foreign ministers hold press conference

Manama, Feb. 24 (BNA): Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Hunarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, held a press conference om Budapest. Dr. Al Zayani made a press statement in which he welcomed the Hungarian Minister, expressing his pleasure in welcoming him and his accompanying delegation to the Kingdom of Bahrain. He said that the visit reflects the close friendship relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Hungary and the common desire to strengthen and develop these relations. He noted the high-level visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to Hungary in 2019, which bolstered strategic bilateral partnership, and achieved constructive outcomes in the field of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted that the first meeting of the Bahrain-Hungary Joint Economic Commision came as an activation of the memorandum of understanding in the field of economic and technical cooperation between the two friendly countries. He noted that the meeting was constructive, and will undoubtedly contribute to supporting joint cooperation between the two countries, adding that the two sides had studied ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields. These include the trade and investment sector, specifically in financial services, transportation, information technology, the energy and petroleum sector, the science sector and the exchange of research in the scientific and informational aspect, in addition to the agricultural sector. Dr Al Zayani noted that it was agreed between the two sides to strengthen the bilateral partnership in the field of employing renewable energy in the protection of plants and fruits, in addition to the sector of protecting water consumption and enhancing its quality, and agreeing to cooperate in the health sector, specifically in the field of training and qualification of human resources, medical technology and health care. He added that it was agreed to develop joint cooperation in the education sector, noting that the two sides agreed to exchange educational programs in various disciplines and academic degrees. He stressed joint cooperation in youth and sports as well as tourism and culture, and it was also agreed that the two countries would exchange a number of programs common and diverse in this regard. He expressed his confidence that today’s talks would expand and develop the friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two friendly countries and peoples. He said that the two sides had decided to directly implement the decisions reached during the meeting, and the second meeting of the commission will be held in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. The two sides stressed the importance of finalizing the investment promotion and protection agreement, and activating the double taxation avoidance agreement to create a sustainable environment to enhance trade and investment between the two sides. He commended the development that Hungary is witnessing and the important role that Hungary plays in the European economic growth, stressing that Bahrain has a business-friendly investment environment. He welcomed cooperation with all Hungarian companies and ensured the safety and protection of their investments, in addition to the presence of a qualified and developed manpower at the highest levels. The Hungarian minister expressed delighted at visiting Bahrain, adding that he first Hungarian foreign minister to visit the Kingdom/ He said that he had discussed the situation in Ukraine with Dr. Al Zayani, , noting that Hungary is greatly concerned about what is happening in Ukraine and the developments taking place there. He stressed his country’s support for Ukraine, noting that war brings suffering and is the worst possible scenario that could happen. He pointed out that Hungary is a neighbor of Ukraine, stressing the importance of protecting ther security of citizens and the homeland.