The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade concluded an agreement with the administration of Voronezh Oblast, Russia, on the development of international and external trade relations and on trade, economic, technical, scientific, humanitarian and cultural cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó stressed after the signing of the agreement that the agreement fits into Hungary’s foreign trade strategy, and Hungary expects to see an expansion in the opportunities of Hungarian agricultural and food industry businesses in consequence of the cooperation scheme.
Alexei Gorgeyev, Governor of Voronezh Oblast highlighted that they have a vested interest in the implementation of the agreement, the Hungarian economy is growing steadily, and Hungary has highly professional experts.
Mr Szijjártó pointed out that Voronezh Oblast is one of Russia’s fastest growing regions which has doubled its economic performance in the past six years.
He added: Voronezh Oblast situated in the Central Federal District of Russia is the third strongest region after the City of Moscow and the surrounding Moscow Oblast. Based on agricultural results, Voronezh is ranked fifth in Russia among Russian regions. The Minister reiterated that the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union badly affected Hungarian agricultural exports to Russia.
The volume of trade between Hungary and Voronezh Oblast increased by 50 per cent in the first eight months, in particular, in consequence of agricultural relations. Hungarian agricultural exports bound for the Voronezh region are primarily comprised of sowing seeds, livestock and eggs, while imports are dominated by artificial fertilisers, he remarked.
In reference to the intensity of international relations, he mentioned as an example that the turbines made in the Veresegyháza plant of GE operate the largest thermal power station in Voronezh.
Mr Szijjártó indicated that there is good cooperation between the Voronezh State University and the Debrecen University, preparations for the teaching of Hungarian at the Voronezh University are in progress, and he described the cooperation between the two countries in the maintenance and preservation of war cemeteries as exemplary which they will also continue in the future.
Alexei Gorgeyev, Governor of Voronezh Oblast, too, highlighted that it is important to continue the existing cooperation in the field of agriculture and to develop relations between the two countries in the areas of tourism and education.
(MTI)
