Kazakhstan and Hungary celebrate 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Nur-Sultan, April 4, 2022 – April 2, 2022, marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Hungary. On the occasion of this significant date, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev exchanged congratulatory messages with Hungarian President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Congratulations were also exchanged between the foreign ministers of the two countries - Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Peter Szijjarto.

On the occasion of a special day for both countries, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko met with Hungarian Ambassador Otto Ron today. The Kazakh diplomat expressed satisfaction that in such a short historical period the cooperation of the two countries has developed rapidly and turned into a strong mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

For 30 years, a solid foundation has been laid for a bilateral legal framework. An Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, an Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in Combating Organized Crime, Terrorism, Illicit Trafficking in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Inter-Parliamentary Friendship groups, Strategic and Business Councils, an Investment Fund have been created, and direct flights between the capitals of the two countries have been established.

The parties confirmed their interest in expanding and deepening trade, economic and investment ties. Efforts will be aimed at expanding the commodity structure of mutual trade and increasing the share of deep processing products. Special attention was paid to the importance of resuming regular flights between Budapest and Nur-Sultan by the Hungarian airline WizzAir, temporarily suspended earlier this year.

The prospects for the development of cultural and humanitarian ties are expanding every year. The presence of descendants of the Kipchak tribes who migrated to Hungary from the Kazakh steppes in the XIII century is the historical basis and a strong link between the rich cultural heritage of the Kazakh and Hungarian peoples. Today, the Union of Hungarian Kipchaks plays an important role in the development of cultural ties between the two countries. There is Astana Street in Budapest, a monument to Abai, as well as regular Abai readings.

Thanks to the cultural and scientific ties between the two countries, 250 young Kazakhstanis annually have the opportunity to receive quality education in Hungary under the Stipendium Hungaricum program. Today, more than a thousand Kazakhstani students study at Hungarian universities. Students of each country learn each other’s language, while Hungarian professors teach at Kazakh universities.

Vassilenko and Rona expressed confidence in further strengthening the strategic partnership in the interests of peace, security and stability for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

The Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister also congratulated the Hungarian Ambassador on the results of the parliamentary elections held in Hungary on April 3, in which the ruling party of Prime Minister Orban "Fidesz" won a convincing victory.

Mutual confidence was expressed in the further progressive development of mutually beneficial cooperation and friendship between the two states and peoples.