Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Minister and ParliamentaryState Secretary at the Ministry of European Union Affairs of Hungary ZsigmondBarna Pál has highlighted the h🌼istorical significance of Prime Minister PhamMinh Chinh’s upcoming visit to Hungary, saying that itis the first delegation exchange at the prime mini🦄sterial level between the two countries for the past 7 years.

In an interview granted to the press during his workingtrip to Vietnam from January 14-16, Barna Pál said Hungary wishes to advance cooperationwith Vietnam across various areas, ranging from politics, culture to economy. Educational ties, founded decades ago, are flourishing, with theStipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme playing a pivotal role, throughwhich Hungary provides 200 scholarships annually for Vietnamese students. Expressing delight at the overwhelming response to the programme from Vietnamese students with over 400 scholarshipapplications submitted each year, more than doubling the allocated quota, he welcomed Vietnamese ambitiousstudents, envisioning them as a bridge between the two nations, contributing tofurther strengthening their close-knit ties. Furthermore, Hungarysuccessfully rolled out two credit support projects for a water treatment plantin the central province of Quang Binh and a population registration system in thenorthern port city of Hai Phong, he said, noting that so far, local people continue to benefit from those projects. Under a cooperation framework between the Office of theProsecutor General of Hungary and the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice, Hungary alsooffers a 10-month postgraduate training programme at Pázmány Péter CatholicUniversity, specifically designed for Vietnamese judicial experts. Hesaid during the Vietnam visits by the Minister of Justice, the ChiefProsecutor and the First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly ofHungary, both countries committed to maintaining regular exchanges of delegationsand continued favourable conditions for positive dialogues in thisfield in the future. Hungary looks forward to more high-level visits as the twocountries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in2025, he said.

Asked about the role of the Vietnamese community in Hungary with about10,000 people, Barna Pál said they mostly reside and work in Budapest, turningHungary's capital into a vibrant and culturally diverse place. Many of themwork in the fields of commerce and food service. The Vietnamese are highlyadmired for their proficiency in the Hungarian language, with some gainingfame in Hungary's music industry.

He revealed that they also manage a number of well-knownfamily restaurants in the city, which not only serve as the gathering places of theVietnamese community but also gain popularity among locals.

Looking ahead, Barna Pál thought bilateral ties could be further developed based on existing cooperation and comprehensive partnershipbetween t♓he two countries.

He noted the obvious potential for collaboration in education, parliamentaryaffairs, finance, and justice, adding that opportunities in research, science,and academia can be maximised through expert exchange programmes or joint training courses.

Economicand trade relations haওve good prospects to deepen,especially concerning Hungary's agricultural products, he added.

As discussionson cooperation in culture and sports are underway, he welcomed Vietnam'sinterest in strengthening joint work across diverse fields./.