Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s State Counsellor, in Budapest on Wednesday. The Burmese leader also met with the Foreign Minister during her official visit.
PM Orbán said that Hungarians respected Aung San Suu Kyi for her endeavors for her country’s freedom and democratic transformation.
During their meeting, the pair discussed illegal migration and bilateral ties in the areas of the economy, education and culture.
Illegal migration is a primary challenge both for Myanmar and Hungary, as well as for Southeast Asia and Europe in general, and the issue of how to live together with the growing Muslim population emerged in both regions.
PM Orbán said Hungary supports trade cooperation between the European Union and Myanmar but rejects “the export of democracy” and the approach of Brussels and other western bureaucrats who try to mix unrelated issues such as economic cooperation with domestic affairs.
The Prime Minister said emphasis was placed on educational and cultural ties but there were untapped opportunities in economic cooperation. Foreign trade ministers of the two countries will therefore intensify their cooperation, he added.
During a later meeting, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that Hungary greatly appreciated leaders who prioritized the interests of their nation and made sacrifices for it.
“Aung San Suu Kyi is always received with great respect and appreciation when she visits Hungary because she has done so much for the freedom of her nation,” Minister Szijjártó said.
Hungary supports efforts to intensify cooperation between the European Union and Myanmar but does not support Brussels muddling political and economic issues and approaching cooperation with double standards.
Minister Szijjártó said that Eximbank has opened a 46 million dollar credit line with a view to boosting cooperation between the businesses of the two countries, and negotiations are ongoing to establish a joint economic committee. In addition, 30 students from Myanmar will be eligible for scholarships to study in Hungary.
Photo credit: kormany.hu