Ambassador Munis Sees Robust Future For Malaysia-Hungary Ties As Bilateral Trade Reaches €660 Mln

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- As Malaysia-Hungary commemorate the 55-year milestone this year, the outlook of both bilateral and multilateral collaborations is moving robustly, according to the ambassador of Malaysia to Hungary, Francisco Munis.

The ambassador looks towards elevating further the Malaysian-Hungarian relations with more engagements, cooperations and exchanges, particularly in enhancing further the volume of total trade, which stands at €660 million in 2023, he said in a statement issued by the embassy of Malaysia in Budapest.

The statement was issued in conjunction with the Official Diplomatic Reception on the occasion of the 67th National Day, 61st Malaysia Day and in commemoration of the 55th Anniversary of the Establishment of Malaysia-Hungary Diplomatic Relations, as well as in promotion of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship.

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Looking forward, the ambassador is positive that with the recent establishment of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee for Economic and Industrial Cooperation (JIEC) between Malaysia and Hungary, trade and investment exchanges can be further elevated in the years to come.

Munis said the 90-day visa-free agreement between both countries will continue to complement the effort and strengthen further bilateral foundation, especially in promoting and encouraging people-to-people connection and interactions in businesses and tourism, effectuating the prospect for future mutually beneficial collaboration and cooperation.

On Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship, the ambassador noted that Malaysia as one of the founding members of ASEAN, had advocated and constructively played a significant role in the development of a peaceful ASEAN.

Under its chairmanship, Munis said Malaysia will continue to foster and emphasise the vision for a united ASEAN that stands as a formidable regional bloc and promotes the importance of ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality.

Stressing Malaysia’s readiness as the chair of ASEAN 2025, the ambassador also echoed that Malaysia welcomes and is supportive of Hungary’s intention to be part of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and “hopes that Hungary’s accession to the treaty could soon be concluded”.

“It is also one of Malaysia’s wishes for a successful Hungarian Presidency of the European Union (EU),” he added.

Munis said Hungary’s full support for the principle of ASEAN Centrality and efforts to promote ASEAN-EU relations during its EU presidency will help bridge the strengthening of the ASEAN-EU relations, as well as the Malaysian-EU relations.

Present at the reception was the Deputy State Secretary for the Development of Eastern Relations, Adam Stifter, who was representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto.

Others who attended included 200 officials and guests from the Hungarian central and local government agencies, ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, non-governmental organisations and think-tanks, business people and members of the media.

-- BERNAMA