Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, met Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, his Pakistani counterpart, to discuss bilateral ties, in Budapest on Wednesday.
At a joint press conference, Minister Szijjártó said both countries were facing serious security challenges posed by their immediate neighborhood. The foreign minister said the pressure posed by illegal migration was increasing due to the spread of terrorism and radical ideologies. He expressed thanks to Pakistan for its role played in curbing illegal migration and fighting against terrorism. Regarding economic ties, Minister Szijjártó noted Hungarian oil and gas company Mol “being practically the only western energy company still present in the South Asian country”. Mol will continue its investments in Pakistan giving jobs to 800 people, he said. Minister Szijjártó praised Hungarian-Pakistani cooperation in many areas and announced to double the number of state grants to Pakistani students to 400 at Hungarian universities. The two foreign ministers signed cooperation agreements in higher education, diplomatic training and sports affairs.