THE IX. MEETING OF THE POLITICAL CONSULTATION MECHANISM MEXICO-HUNGARY WAS CELEBRATED ON JULY 13TH IN BUDAPEST.
- During the meeting the participants confirmed the good state of the relationship between the two countries and the potential for progress in various areas.
- Both parties assessed the evolution of the bilateral relationship, highlighting the progress made in the educational, cultural and scientific-technological fields. Similarly, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in other areas in matters of common interest, such as sending experts in the automotive, pharmaceutical and water resources sectors within the framework of a professional internship program.
- The two delegations expressed their satisfaction with the perspectives of the (ongoing) collaboration between the National System for Integral Family Development of Mexico (DIF) and the Pető Faculty of the Semmelweis University for the application of the Pető method, the conductive education developed for children and adults who have motor disorders of neurological origin such as cerebral palsy.
- Hungary recognizes in Mexico a reference country for its foreign policy interests in Latin America.
Budapest, Hungary, July 13th, 2018. – Today, July 13, 2018, the IX Meeting of the Mexico-Hungary Political Consultation Mechanism was held in Budapest. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. László Váradi, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and by Ambassador Francisco del Río, General Director for Europe of the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.
In an atmosphere of cordiality and frankness, topics of the bilateral, regional and multilateral agenda were discussed. The two parties noted that, thanks to the good state of the bilateral relationship, progress could be made in the consolidation of economic, commercial, cultural and scientific-technical cooperation.
With regard to the economic matters, the two parties recognized the rapid growth of trade, but also noted that there are still space for progress in areas that have not been fully exploited. In that sense, there was a commitment to promote visits by businessmen to both countries through institutional channels. The Hungarian side reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate the legislative process for the ratification, by the Hungarian National Assembly, of the renewal of the Mexico-European Union Global Agreement.
In terms of cooperation, a review was made on the implementation of the scholarships awarded by the Hungarian government to Mexican students through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program. Each year Hungary offers forty scholarships ranging from undergraduate to doctorate level and which can be taken in English, French, German and Hungarian. Meanwhile, Mexico awards five annual scholarships of excellence for Hungarian students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in our country.
Ambassador Francisco del Río thanked in the name of the Government of Mexico the interest of Hungary to contribute to the reconstruction of monuments and historical sites affected by the earthquakes of September 2017. For this purpose, three different versions are analyzed, which are the sending of experts; the contribution with material and equipment or financial support.
The cultural presence of Mexico in Hungary was also addressed and it was noted that this presence has been fundamental to expand cooperation in other areas. In 2018 there are 55 Mexican cultural events of various kinds scheduled throughout the Hungarian territory that are part of the Cultural Program of the Embassy of Mexico, highlighting the current exhibition Frida Kahlo, whose masterpieces are presented at the Hungarian National Gallery and was inaugurated on July 6, 2018; the ELEVEN Autumn Festival dedicated to Mexico at the Bartok Bela Boulevard in the Hungarian capital next September; and the Excellence Award granted by the Embassy of Mexico to recognize the most outstanding Hungarian students who have distinguished themselves in their Spanish language studies at secondary level.
At the regional level, views were exchanged on the role played by Mexico in the Pacific Alliance and that of Hungary in the Visegrad Group (V4). Hungary is an observer country of the Alliance and its government has a special interest in strengthening its presence in this mechanism, while promoting relations between the Alliance and V4, two of the most dynamic economic and political groups in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Europe respectively.
Common principles and positions were reviewed in international organizations and forums, in particular those related to climate change, the responsible management of water resources and the protection of monuments and historic sites. Similarly, progress on the candidatures that both governments have in international organizations were reviewed, stating the excellent cooperation and degree of common principles in that matter.
