Hungary, Kazakhstan establish strategic council

Budapest (MTI) – The Hungarian-Kazakh Strategic Council has been set up to review questions of strategic significance affecting cooperation between Hungary and Kazakhstan, Economy Minister Mihály Varga said after a meeting of the Hungarian-Kazakh Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation in Astana.

The council will make proposals and recommendations to support progress, focusing on the development of bilateral economic ties. It will also weigh the possibility of tapping national and international funding sources, Varga said, according to a statement released by his ministry on Tuesday.

The council comprises three members from each country. The Kazakh side is headed by Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisov and the Hungarian side by Mihaly Varga.

Varga noted the launch of the Kazakh-Hungarian Agricultural Investment Fund, which gives new perspectives to farm ties between the two countries.

A declaration of intent on cooperation in the areas of health tourism, the health-care industry and employment policy was also signed.

Another declaration of intent was signed on an exchange of information between the Hungarian State Treasury and the Kazakh Finance Ministry.

Varga said Hungarian companies’ participation at the 2017 Expo in Astana could support their entry onto markets in Central Asia.

The international expo, set to be held in June-September, will involve more than 100 countries. It is expected to draw at least 5 million visitors.

Source: MTI