János Martonyi met Argentinean Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman in Buenos Aires on May 14, 2012. Reviewing the bilateral relations of the countries, the two Ministers pointed out that there were several unexploited opportunities in the development of bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of economic relations.

The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Latin America within the framework of the recently announced global opening policy. In the first country of his tour, János Martonyi met his Argentinean counterpart, Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman in Buenos Aires. At the meeting János Martonyi invited Timerman to visit Hungary, and he emphasised that Cristina Elisabet Fernández de Kirchner, President of Argentina had also been invited to Hungary.

Argentina used to be one of our most significant overseas trading partners. In 2011 our bilateral trade was only around 40 million dollars – nevertheless, with significant Hungarian surplus. However, the economic cooperation could gain momentum with the help of the new cooperation agreement which was concluded by the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency and the ExportAr, the export promoting agency of Argentina, at the Hungarian-Latin American Forum in Budapest in March 2012. Similar success is expected from the bilateral economic cooperation agreement currently under negotiation. The parties shared the view that the scientific and technological cooperation is significant; 65 projects have been carried out since the 1990s. In the future, they intend to seize the opportunities offered by the seventh framework programme of the European Union for research, technological development and demonstration activities more effectively. The two Foreign Ministers stated that the Hungarians living in Argentina played a significant role in the bilateral relations. The parties examine the possibilities of strengthening the two states’ relations by establishing inter-institutional relationships.

János Martonyi informed his Argentinean counterpart about the objectives of the Hungarian government’s economic policy and about the economic-financial efforts of the European Union. They also spoke about Argentina’s experience gained in the G20 cooperation and the issue of the UN reform.

János Martonyi asked for Argentina’s support to achieve that the Bolivian authorities release Előd Tóásó, a Hungarian citizen kept in detention in Bolivia. Argentina responded to the request with understanding. As it is known, Foreign Minister János Martonyi sent letters to his Bolivian counterpart in March 2011 and in January 2012 asking for information about the state of events, but he has not received any answers helping in the case.

Before the meeting of the Foreign Ministers, János Martonyi laid a wreath to Raoul Wallenberg’s memorial in Buenos Aires. The event was particularly touching, as a Hungarian couple who had been saved by the Swedish diplomat were also present at the commemoration. On the same day, the Hungarian Foreign Minister opened a Wallenberg exhibition as well.

(kormany.hu)