"Hungary has long been using nuclear energy, it's 40 years. We agreed on wide ranging cooperation on educating and training nuclear engineers," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters at a joint briefing after his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at state guesthouse Padma.
He said they are building their second nuclear energy plant when Bangladesh is working on its first such plant.
"We’ve increased scholarship from 100 to 130 and these (additional) 30 will be provided to students who will be studying nuclear energy," said the Hungarian Foreign Minister.
"They’re good in the medical area. They’re very rich in electronics, good in technology, nuclear energy and tourism," he said describing Bangladesh as a land of opportunities.
The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they can provide highly advanced technology that is required for further development of Bangladesh.
He also talked about technological cooperation in medical science and water management, apart from exploring investment in food processing area.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister hoped that they would soon start negotiations to sign a deal on avoidance of double taxation.
Responding to a question, Minister Szijjarto said he had a very good meeting with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.
He said they will promote Hungarian companies and investment in SEZ.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen said his Hungarian counterpart has brought some good news for Bangladesh.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Hungary in 2016 boosting ties between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, invited the Hungarian Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh. The invitation was in principle accepted.
A consulate office of Hungary will be opened in Dhaka for better communication between the two countries.
Safe Rohingya Repatriation
The two countries also discussed the safe return of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
"We follow the Rohingya crisis very closely. Our position is very clear. We’ve to make circumstances (conditions) ready and improve (the environment) in a way that all persons can have a safe and secure life. We’ve to promote repatriation," Minister Szijjarto said.
He said every person has the rights to have a safe and secure life. "These rights should be fulfilled and guaranteed."
Szijjarto said they have to convince Myanmar to provide circumstances to return.
He said his country will continue to support Bangladesh regarding the Rohingya issue.
Responding to a question, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said they have signed two bilateral instruments -- one on joint declaration that united the two countries while another on training diplomats.
They discussed ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.
The Hungarian minister arrived here early Thursday by a chartered flight.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen received the Hungarian Foreign Minister and his entourage at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister visited the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum in the morning.
He paid tributes to the memories of the Father of the Nation and his family members who were brutally killed in 1975.
Later, he met Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi at his ministry.
The Hungarian minister was scheduled to leave Dhaka at 6:30pm on Thursday.
This is the first minister-level visit to Bangladesh amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Bangladesh has maintained friendly relations with Hungary since independence.
Hungary supported the cause of Bangladesh during the War of Liberation and was one of the first countries to accord recognition.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established as early as January 29, 1972.
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