At the meeting, both sides affirmed good traditional friendship and co-operation relations, saying this relation has been continuously developed. Mentioning the co-operation between HCMC and Hungary, both sides discussed and hoped to establish further co-operation in fields of health care, IT, environmental protection and water, food processing technology, pharmaceutical.

Mentioning the relation between Vietnam and Hungary, Mr. Le Thanh Liem said Vietnam always remembers the valuable support of Hungary for the process of national construction and protection. Besides, he thanked Hungarian Parliament for approving Vietnam-EU Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), expressed that Hungary continues to urge Eu to soon approve PCA and to officially sign Vietnam-Eu Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and recognize the status of market economy of Vietnam.

Mr. Le Thanh Liem briefed socio-economic situation of HCMC, saying that HCMC pays special attention to co-operation with foreign countries including Hungary, that HCMC and Hungary trade relation still not matches with both sides’ potential. Mr. Liem expressed his hope that Hungary will soon establish Hungarian national trade center in HCMC to strengthen business connectivity of both sides, contributing to the bilateral co-operation between Vietnam and Hungary.

On co-operation between localities, Mr. Liem said HCMC and Budapest has upgraded their relation to level of agreement after 2 years signing MOU which said HCMC look forwards to co-operating with Hungary in fields of health, water management and classical music. Mr. Szijártó Péter stressed Hungarian Government has been strengthening its look east policy, considering Vietnam as an important economic and political partner and a new pyramid of Southeast Asia. Mr. Szijártó Péter highly valued the growth speed and economic development potential of HCMC, saying Hungary will further promote bilateral co-operation relation between both countries in general and between localities of Hungary and HCMC in particular.

Mr. Szijjártó Péter also hoped to share experience and expand co-operation with HCMC in other field of culture, art and infrastructure.

HCM CITYWEB