Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan, who is on an official visit to Hungary for the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, met with his Hungarian counterpart Janos Martonyi to exchange views on bilateral and other matters of mutual concern.
The two Ministers took note of close cooperation between Korea and Hungary in various areas, including political affairs and economy, as well as the steady increase in trade and investment. They agreed to make joint effort to further strengthen substantive cooperation through the effectuation of the Korea-EU FTA, slated for July 1, 2011.
Stressing that numerous Korean companies are operating in a favorable environment in Hungary, Minister Kim asked for the Hungarian government’s interest and support in inducing Korean firms to expand their investment in the country. Minister Kim voiced hope that Hungary will further bolster nuclear cooperation with Korea, a country with outstanding technology and experience in the field; and that the two countries will seek specific cooperation measures in the renewable energy sector.
Welcoming the opening of the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, planned for the second half of this year, the Hungarian Foreign Minister expressed expectation that the Center will contribute to vitalizing cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Minister Kim extended appreciation to Hungary for its continuous support for the Korean government’s position on issues related to the Korean peninsula. On behalf of Hungary and the EU, as the EU Chair in the first half of this year, the Hungarian Foreign Minister pledged unchanging support for the Korean government’s policies related to the Korean peninsula, including the North Korean nuclear issue.
