On the 5th meeting of the Kazakh-Hungarian Strategic Council

Nur-Sultan, October 26, 2021 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Hungary Mihály Varga co-chaired the 5th meeting of the Kazakh–Hungarian Strategic Council. 

The parties discussed topical issues of bilateral relations in politics, trade, economy, investment, culture and the humanitarian spheres. They noted with satisfaction that despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral trade shows positive dynamics, having increased by 11.8% in the first 8 months of 2021 compared to the same period last year. 

The parties agreed to continue a substantive dialogue to facilitate mutual travel of citizens, as well as the possibility of launching new destinations in direct flights between the two states. It was noted that an agreement on mutual recognition of vaccination passports has been in effect since June. In addition, Kazakhstan offered Hungarian partners the possibility of using the QazVac vaccine in Hungary. 

In agriculture, the parties agreed to consider several promising areas of cooperation, including the development of dairy farming and poultry farming, intensive sheep breeding, as well as the production of Hungarian corn seeds.

The importance of continuing cooperation in education was emphasized. Today, more than 800 citizens of Kazakhstan are studying at leading universities in Hungary. The number of students interested in Stipendium Hungaricum program, which allows for studying in Hungarian, is growing. 

Earlier in the day, a large business forum with the participation of a representative business delegation from Hungary and Kazakh entrepreneurs took place, during which several investment memoranda in medical tourism, agriculture, green energy, transport, and logistics were signed. 

As part of his visit, Mr. Varga met with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister Mamin, Head of the Kazakhstan-Hungary Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Mazhilis of Parliament Mr. Kusainov, Minister of the National Economy Mr. Irgaliyev, Minister of Finance Mr. Zhamaubayev, and Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms and Governor of the Astana International Financial Center Mr. Kelimbetov. 

The visit contributed to the enhancement of strategic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hungary.