HCMC – Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge to link Hungary with Southeast Asia and considers Hungary an important gateway for boosting cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe and the European Union (EU), said Party General Secretary To Lam.
The statement has been made today, May 28, during a meeting between Party General Secretary To Lam and Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam from May 27 to 29.
Lam highlighted the significance of the Hungarian President’s Vietnam visit as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Hungary (1950–2025), and expressed hope that it would create new momentum for bilateral ties.
On behalf of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, he thanked Hungary for its sincere support during Vietnam’s past struggles for national liberation and unification, as well as its current development efforts.
Lam emphasized the special ties between the two nations, reaffirming that Vietnam always regards Hungary as a top priority partner in its foreign policy towards Central and Eastern Europe and seeks to further deepen the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.
He suggested enhancing cooperation mechanisms, such as the Joint Economic Committee, leveraging the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the upcoming EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and accelerating meetings of the Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. He also proposed that Hungary assist in training Vietnamese experts in nuclear energy.
President Sulyok expressed appreciation for the warm and heartfelt welcome extended to him, his spouse, and the Hungarian delegation. Recalling his student years and deep memories with Vietnamese friends, he praised the Vietnamese people’s resilience and expressed admiration for the country’s reform achievements, which have enhanced Vietnam’s international role and prestige.
He reaffirmed Hungary’s respect for its traditional friendship with Vietnam and recognized Vietnam as a key partner in Southeast Asia. He welcomed the progress made since the two countries established a comprehensive partnership in 2018.
Both leaders agreed to further strengthen political trust and connections between their countries and ruling parties, promote high-level exchanges, and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, and education. They also emphasized the potential for defense and security to become a new pillar in bilateral ties, and the importance of people-to-people exchanges in fostering mutual understanding.
The two leaders agreed that Vietnam and Hungary will continue close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and within the ASEAN-EU framework. They reaffirmed their support for peaceful resolution of disputes based on respect for international law, contributing to peace, stability, and security in the region and beyond.
