Jeenbekov, Hungarian FM discuss topical issues of bilateral cooperation

Bishkek, Feb.19, 2020. /Kabar/. Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov received on Wednesday Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. Topical issues and prospects of bilateral cooperation between the countries were discussed, the President’s press service said. Sooronbay Jeenbekov noted with satisfaction that in recent years there has been a dynamic development of Kyrgyz-Hungarian relations, which was also facilitated by first official visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Kyrgyzstan in September 2018. The President expressed readiness for fruitful cooperation with Hungary in all priority areas, including trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian and investment spheres. He added the opening of the Hungarian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan will also help strengthen friendly relations and joint cooperation. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó noted the Hungarian side attaches priority to the development of relations with Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan. He stressed Hungary is looking forward to the return official visit of the Kyrgyz President in April 2020. The Hungarian minister expressed confidence that the expected visit will bring the bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership. As he said, the bilateral documents, expected to be signed during the Kyrgyz President’s visit to Hungary, are being worked out in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. Péter Szijjártó said the delegation consists of representatives of more than 30 large companies who have arrived to study the possibility of investment cooperation. He added that the interest of Hungarian companies in the Kyrgyz market is an indicator of openness of the country. The minister also stressed Hungary is ready to accept and train civil servants from Kyrgyzstan to reform the tax sphere, improve investment cooperation and expand export potential. In addition, the head of the foreign delegation noted Hungary is ready to increase educational quotas for Kyrgyz students in Hungarian universities.