In Argentina there is demand primarily for Hungarian agricultural technologies and processed foodstuffs, but there are ample export opportunities for the products of the pharmaceutical industry and the automotive industry as well, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said, who had talks with his Argentinian counterpart Foreign Relations Minister Susana Malcorra on Thursday morning, local time, before the official opening of the international summit on nuclear security held in Washington.

Upon talking to the Hungarian news agency MTI after the meeting, the head of Hungarian diplomacy highlighted the significance of bilateral talks. With reference to the recent changes which have occurred in Argentina, Mr Szijjártó told the news agency that the new right-wing leadership in Buenos Aires announced an intensive policy of opening, and this also fits well into the efforts of Hungarian diplomacy known as „southerly opening”.

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The talks of the Foreign Ministers held on Thursday, as Mr Szijjártó said, had sound foundations to rely upon: Hungarian exports to the South-American country increased considerably, by 53 per cent last year. It is true that these exports are not yet overwhelmingly significant on the whole, but the opportunities for extending them appear to be more favourable than ever before.

At the Szijjártó-Malcorra talks the parties agreed to sign an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation before the end of this year, and an economic mixed committee will also be set up. Mr Szijjártó told MTI: Eximbank opened a credit line worth USD 27.5 million in Budapest for financing bilateral economic relations and supporting Hungarian exports.

At the talks Hungary reassured Argentina of its support in making the South-American country’s relations with the European Union more dynamic and intensifying the free trade talks between Mercosur and the European Union. Mercosur offers favourable opportunities for the Hungarian economy, including Hungarian exports, as well.

Mr Szijjártó also said that Hungary offered the South-American country a scholarship programme for 25 persons, while Argentina reassured Hungary of supporting its nomination to the UN’s Human Rights Council.

(MTI)