Islamabad (TDI): In a joint presser, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, categorically expressed the country’s support for extension of Pakistan’s GSP+ Status in the European Union.
FM of Hungary is visiting Pakistan today, along with a business delegation. This is his second official visit to Pakistan, undertaken on the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar.
The visit’s agenda include a one-on-one meeting with the DPM/FM and delegation level talks between the business representatives of both countries. Economic, trade, energy, and investment sector cooperation will be discussed.
🔴LIVE: Joint Press Stakeout between the DPM/FM of Pakistan and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary https://t.co/Bzo4Mha0cD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 17, 2025
Minister Peter Szijjarto was received at the airport by Muhammad Ayub, Additional Secretary Europe and Hungary’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Béla Fazekas.
In the joint press conference, DPM/FM Dar thanked Hungary for its consistent support of Pakistan in the European Union and other multilateral platforms.
Hungary’s FM also acknowledged the terror threat emanating from Afghanistan and expressed support for Pakistan in its fight against these terrorists.
Prior to the visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan issued a press release announcing, “During the visit, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and an Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Culture (2025-2027), Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, and the Abolition of Visas for holders of Diplomatic Passports will be signed.”
Read More: Pakistan-Hungary Collaborates to Promote Culture and Tourism
“Pakistan attaches high importance to bilateral relations with Hungary, which have gained strength due to regular high-level exchanges and commonality of views on regional and international issues.”
“This year marks 60th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. An important hallmark of strong bilateral relations has been Hungarian oil and gas company MOL’s successful investment in Pakistan since 1999,” the statement noted.
Pakistan has a GSP+ status since 2014, which grants it a preferential access to European markets. The status, however, is strictly tied to compliance with human rights obligations, labor standards, environmental protection, and good governance.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
