Hungary opens diplomatic mission in Tanzania
Hungary will open a diplomatic mission in Tanzania with a view to developing cooperation between the two countries, and will work to strengthen ties between the European Union and east Africa during its presidency in the second half of 2024, the foreign minister said on Thursday.
Péter Szijjártó told a press conference after talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, January Yusuf Makamba, in Dar es-Salaam that Africa’s stability was key to Europe’s security. He said Tanzania was “one of the pillars of stability in its region”, as it played an important role in combating terrorism and in providing for refugees.
The security consequences of the migration crisis “are well known by now”, Szijjártó said: “Europe has seen parallel societies emerge and the terror threat increase.”
Migration pressure would be even greater without “countries conducting responsible policies such as Tanzania”. The threat remained, he said, as Africa’s population is set to grow by 750 million in the next 20 years. Unless the situation can be improved by developing education and health care, and by creating jobs, Europe will have to face a dire situation, he said.
Hungary supports Tanzania and other African countries
Hungary “is supporting African countries with deeds as well as words”, and had invested some HUF 500 million (EUR 1.3m) in projects in Tanzania over the past three years, he said.
A government grant programme offering scholarships to 30 Tanzanian students every year is now in its 6th year, he added. The two countries are also running wide-ranging cooperation between its universities and an exchange programme in diplomatic training, he added.
The ministers also signed a framework agreement “allowing certain Hungarian water management companies using cutting-edge technology to contribute to developing Tanzania’s safe drinking water supply”, Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.
Szijjártó said last year’s record USD 7.5 million trade volume between the two countries was a “good starting point . but there’s room for improvement.”
To further improve cooperation, Hungary is planning to open a diplomatic mission in Dar es-Salaam soon, he said.