Foreign Minister János Martonyi visited Vietnam on his way to the ASEM summit in Laos. Minister Martonyi stopped in Ho Chi Minh city where he had talks with leaders of the city, with a group of Vietnamese who used to study in Hungary, and had a meeting Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council.

The Minister will be the head of the Hungarian delegation at the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Vientiane, Laos, on November 5-6. Before taking part in the summit he stopped in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, on November 2, to meet local leader Le Hoang Quan, the Chairman of the People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh city. Le Hoang Quan suggested that the Hungarian side re-open its Consulate General, closed in 2006, as it would help maintain and develop the contacts between the two countries. He said that the leadership of Ho Chi Minh city had already initiated „sister city” cooperation with a Hungarian town. Chairman Le Hoang Quan also urged the establishment of direct airline connection between his city and Budapest. The Hungarian Foreign Minister agreed with these proposals, and declared that these initiatives would have a positive impact on bilateral economic relations. 

Following the meeting, Minister Martonyi had an informal discussion with a group of Vietnamese who used to study in Hungary. He stated that Hungary would re-launch its scholarship program for foreign students, which would be beneficial for both sides.

Minister Martonyi and Herman Van Rompuy agreed at their meeting that ASEAN, also including Vietnam, is an important partner for the European Union. Minister Martonyi confirmed that Hungary supported the free trade talks that had started between the EU and Vietnam. The Hungarian Foreign Minister also drew the attention of Herman Van Rompuy to the fact that the Hungarian Government cannot accept the proposed amount of Cohesion Funds for the 2014-2020 period and that a solution had to be found, in line with the principles of the EU Treaty.

Minister Martonyi held a lecture at the Foreign Trade University in Ho Chi Minh city on November 3. He pointed out that regional cooperation organizations like the EU and ASEAN were able to cope with the global challenges and conflicts. He finished his lecture with stating that Hungary would welcome all Vietnamese students aiming to study at Hungarian universities.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)