ISLAMABAD: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to visit Pakistan next month on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
During the visit, the two leaders would discuss various bilateral and regional issues, particularly matters related to enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Viktor Orban, who is currently serving his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of Hungary, is now the longest-serving leader in the European Union, after departure of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“The visit is historic and significant due to several reasons. It will be the first-ever visit by a prime minister, from either side,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to Hungary Muhammad Aejaz. The ambassador said the Hungarian prime minister’s visit was also important as it would be the first visit by a leader of the European Union to Pakistan in 15 years.
Both the countries had engaged closely during the past two years, and specially during 2021, he said, adding the foundation for the latest warmth in the relationship was laid during the visit of Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjarto to Pakistan on the invitation of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in April. A large business delegation had also accompanied the Hungarian foreign minister during the visit.
In March 2021, Foreign Minister Qureshi, under his economic diplomacy campaign, had jointly inaugurated the Hungary-Pakistan-Trade and Economic Window (HPTEW) together with his Hungarian counterpart.
Muhammad Aejaz said several high-level return visits were undertaken from Pakistan to Hungary afterwards. These included the visit of a Pakistani parliamentary delegation, visit by the Prime Minister’s Advisor/Minister for Climate Change and visit of Punjab Governor to Budapest.
Placed at notable geo-economic locations, both Pakistan and Hungary have a tremendous potential to develop long term economic cooperation in the months and years ahead, the ambassador said.
He added that both sides, particularly the two embassies have played an active role in promoting bilateral trade, commercial and economic interests and in opening new windows of opportunity for the business community.
