"There are significant opportunities for the further development of Hungarian-Kazakh agricultural relations; Hungary could be an outstanding partner to Kazakhstan within the fields of agriculture and environmental protection", Minster for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas declared on Friday in Budapest at a bilateral logistics forum.

In his speech entitled "Central Asia: Kazakhstan as the region's logistics centre" given at the 19th Logistics Conference and Forum 2014, the Minister of Rural Development said that Hungary views the regulatory harmonisation of the two regions that surrounds the two countries as an excellent idea, as it will accelerate bilateral trade in agricultural products.

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Hungary views it as a positive development that talks on the simplification of trade conditions between the EU and the custom union established between Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Belarus are moving ahead rapidly, he explained.

Hungary hopes that as a result of these efforts, possible plant and animal health restrictions within the whole region will become a thing of the past, he said.

Mr. Fazekas pointed out that Hungarian agriculture is currently producing 3 percent more products that in 2010, in addition to which the Hungarian National Rural Development Strategy launched in 2012 and the Government's policy of Opening towards the East for an excellent basis for the further development of Hungarian-Kazakh agricultural relations.

In addition to cooperation with regard to bilateral agricultural trade and the continuous expansion of the product palette, technology and innovation opportunities, as well as an increase in agriculture-related investment are also being given priority. As an example of bilateral agricultural relations, the Minister for Rural Development mentioned the operation of the Flóra Consortium within the field of seed production. There are also excellent opportunities for cooperation between the two countries within the fields of water management, higher education and both teacher and student exchange programmes.

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Mr. Fazekas drew attention to the fact that Hungary regards Kazakhstan as an extremely important partner, not just in view of the opportunities the country provides, but also in view of the partially common cultural and historical roots and traditions.

At the meeting, President of the Hungarian Logistics Association Zoltán Doór spoke, among others, of the fact that Hungary's exports to Kazakhstan totalled 195.8 million dollars during the first 11 months of last year, while Kazakh imports totalled 46.1 million dollars during the same period.
In reply to a question from Hungarian news agency MTI, the President of the Hungarian Logistics Association said that the Government policy of Opening towards the East provides a good opportunity for expanding Hungarian-Kazakh relations. Rail plays an important role in trade between the two countries in view of the significant distance involved, and so Hungary would like the eastern border town of Záhony to play a heightened role in eastern trade.

(MTI)