The common political and economic interests of Hungary and Poland can provide for an enduring and close cooperation, - Foreign Minister János Martonyi stated following the meeting with his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, in Warsaw on October 24.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister stressed that both countries were exploring further forms of cooperation. Hungary recently appointed two honorary consuls in Poland, one in Szczecin and another in Bydgoszcz. The bilateral agreement on education, cultural and scientific cooperation is currently under preparation.

Minister Martonyi pointed out in connection to the EU cohesion policy that the interests of Hungary and Poland did not always coincide, and therefore it was important to continue negotiating about a common position. He claimed that it was in the interest of each member of the informal group of „Friends of Cohesion”  to refrain from opposing each other as they could advance their interests only in a coordinated and consistent manner. This had been demonstrated by the success of the regular consultations initiated by the Polish Presidency of the Visegrad cooperation that preceded the EU meetings.

During his official visit in Warsaw Foreign Minister János Martonyi also had a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs Waldemar Pawlak. Following their meeting the Hungarian Foreign Minister declared that according to economic figures Polish-Hungarian trade falls short of the opportunities. Both sides agreed that business enterprises had to be encouraged to take part in bilateral trade relations.

They also discussed the importance of advancing energy cooperation since infrastructural connections between the two countries lacked sufficient development. Minister Martonyi emphasized that this hinders not just economic relations but tourism as well. The two ministers agreed that Hungarian-Polish cooperation was one of the most important factors concerning the dynamic development of the region.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister stated that the Hungarian government supported all initiatives aiming to diminish one-sided dependence on energy supply and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.

(Prime Minister’s Office)