“Hungary has requested observer status in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), through which economic, political and cultural cooperation opportunities could become available with the organisation’s member states”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Parliamentary State Secretary László Szabó announced, summarising his two-day visit to Portugal.

According to Mr. Szabó, in addition to further strengthening Portuguese-Hungarian relations, former Portuguese colonies such as Angola, Mozambique, Brazil and Macao could also become significant trade partners to Hungary as a result of the move. In the interests of facilitating relations, Mr. Szabó also met with the Portuguese heads of Angola’s and Mozambique’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry during his trip, he told the press.

Based on his meeting with Secretary-General of the CPLP Mr. Muirade Isaac Miguigy Murargy, the Parliamentary State Secretary said there was a good chance that Hungary’s request will be approved, the decision on which will be made at the organisation’s next world summit in Brazil during the second half of this year.

Portugal’s international ties with these countries could help Hungarian enterprises appear on their markets, and in return Hungary can offer the same in the Western Balkans and former Soviet republics, he added.

According to Mr. Szabó, there are also many and varied opportunities for partnership in joint Portuguese-Hungarian investment and business relations in third countries in, for example, Africa and Asia.

During his visit to Lisbon, Mr. Szabó also met with Minister of State for International Affairs Jorge Costa Oliveira from the Portuguese Foreign Ministry to review areas in which Hungary and Portugal, two very similar countries with regard to area, population and GDP, might forge further cooperation agreements.

Hungary is offering excellent opportunities to the Southern European country within the fields of water management, wastewater treatment, IT and agricultural technology, while Portugal could be a partner to Hungary with regard to tourism, the hotel industry and renewable energy, he said.

“Their wine promotion is very professional. (…) They export very successfully and in much larger quantities. The export price of Portuguese wines is double that of Hungarian wines, so I feel we definitely have something to learn”, highlighted the State Secretary, who also met with the Vice President of the Port Wine Institute to discuss possible cooperation between the Porto and Tokaj wine regions.

(MTI)