ISLAMABAD: Putting its weight behind Pakistan’s GSP+ status, Hungary agreed on Wednesday to expand cooperation with Pakistan across key sectors and strengthen collaboration at multilateral forums, including the United Nations (UN), Radio Pakistan reported.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in Islamabad.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Dar said both countries shared common interests in agriculture, energy, healthcare, information technology and industrial manufacturing, adding there was “vast potential” to scale up bilateral ties.
Calling Hungary a “steadfast and trusted friend”, Dar said the relationship was rooted in mutual understanding and shared aspirations for peace, security and development.
The deputy premier commended Budapest’s contributions to Pakistan’s development and voiced confidence in the continued upward trajectory of bilateral ties.
Dar said he briefed Szijjártó on regional matters, including Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which Islamabad says should be resolved following UN Security Council resolutions.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution and the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
Szijjártó, for his part, backed the extension of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status beyond 2027, calling it a “mutual interest” of both Pakistan and the European Union.
The minister said Hungarian companies had completed successful food security and water management projects in Pakistan and highlighted a growing trade volume between the two countries.
He also announced 400 annual scholarships for Pakistani students and said a 17-member Hungarian business delegation accompanied him to explore cooperation in education, agriculture, medical science, water management and energy.
Referring to security concerns, the Hungarian foreign minister praised Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly against groups based in Afghanistan, saying they contributed to regional and European security.
Earlier, the two sides signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders and two memoranda of understanding on cooperation in culture and archaeology.
