Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened a Hungarian foreign trade representation in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
In his speech at the event, the Hungarian Foreign Minister highlighted: “Extremely large and rapid changes are occurring in global politics and the global economy, and these changes are having a major effect on small countries with open economies such as Hungary”. “The Hungarian economy is entering a new dimension in which the emphasis is shifting to innovation”, he explained.
“Israeli companies develop and use state-of-the-art technologies, and it is in the interests of the Hungarian economy and Hungarian enterprises to work in the closest possible cooperation with Israeli companies”, the Minister said. “This is why we have decided to open a foreign trade representation in Jerusalem, to also facilitate the forging of relations through a personal presence”, he pointed out. He also stated that Eximbank has opened a 550-million-euro credit line to promote Hungarian-Israeli business relations.
According to Mr. Szijjártó, this is more than pragmatic economic cooperation between two countries: there is true friendship between Hungary and Israel. “Hungary has always fought to ensure that the international community maintains a fair and balanced approach to Israel”, he declared.
The Minister confirmed that despite the decision of the European Commission, Hungary is not applying the labelling method, meaning it is not indicating if a product was made in an Israeli settlement. “In Hungary’s opinion, closer, better and more dynamic cooperation is required between Israel and the EU, and this is also in Europe’s interests”, he said.
The Foreign Minister said that the opening of the trade representation and the organisation of the Hungarian Cultural Season in Israel prove the importance that Hungary is attributing to its relations with Israel.
According to Benjamin Netanyahu, the opening of the representation is extremely important, pointing out that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced the opening of the office four weeks ago during his official visit to Jerusalem.
The Israeli Prime Minister said that in his opinion the relationship and friendship between Hungary and Israel has never been as strong as it is now, just as trade relations have also never before been so strong. “In addition, the two countries are also cooperating effectively within several other fields”, he added. Mr. Netanyahu thanked Hungary for standing up in support of Israel at international forums, and for taking a firm stand against anti-Semitism.
(MTI)
