Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi held talks with his Sir Lankan counterpart Gamini Lakshman Peiris November 8, 2012. The parties agreed on restarting political cooperation and strengthening economic and trade relations.

Minister Martonyi also held talks with ministers Nimal Siripala of irrigation and water resources management, Dinesh Gunawardena of water supply and drainage and Basil Rajapaksa of economic development, and gave a lecture at Colombo University.

Now that Sri Lanka's political situation has become stable, Hungary sees a chance for resuming political ties and promoting trade and economic cooperation, he said. Among the most prospective fields of cooperation, the minister mentioned tourism, sustainable water management, infrastructure development, environmental protection, food safety and agriculture.

Currently the most important bilateral project is the reconstruction and modernization of two water purification facilities in Colombo with the participation of the Budapest Waterworks.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)