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Speaker meets Hungarian MPs

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (left) engages in a cordial conversation with the delegation of Hungarian lawmakers, led by Zsolt Nemeth, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian National Assembly.*

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed the delegation of Hungarian Members of Parliament, led by Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Hungary’s National Assembly Wednesday to discuss initiatives aimed at building closer political and interparliamentary ties, a press release from the House of Representatives said.

He said the meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Philippines and Hungary to enhancing bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

Romualdez commended the sustained high-level exchanges between the two countries, including the visit of Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to the Philippines in June 2023.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of fostering interparliamentary ties. Romualdez acknowledged the efforts of Hungarian Deputy Speaker Istvan Jakab, who visited Manila in 2021, and former Philippine Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who led delegations to Hungary in 2019 and 2023.

To further strengthen relations, Speaker Romualdez said the  Philippines-Hungary Parliamentarians’ Friendship Group in the House of Representatives would be established after the May 2025 midterm elections.

The Speaker highlighted Hungary’s position as the Philippines’ 14th largest trading partner among EU member states in 2023. He expressed optimism about enhancing trade relations, particularly in promoting Philippine products such as electronic equipment, machinery, optical products, and medical instruments.

He also expressed appreciation for Hungary’s support for the ongoing negotiations for the PH-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Assuring the Speaker of Hungary’s continuing support for the Philippines, Németh expressed optimism the PH-EU FTA could be finalized this year.

With approximately 11,600 Filipinos living and working in Hungary, Romualdez also expressed gratitude for Hungary’s support in opening the Migrant Workers Office in Budapest.

Noting Hungarian employers are very much satisfied with the high standard of work ethic of Filipino workers, Németh proposed the possible conduct of joint training exercises to expand cooperation in the field of labor.

Meanwhile, Romualdez thanked Hungary for supporting the Philippines’ bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.

As the incoming ASEAN Chair in 2025, Romualdez stressed that the Philippines aims to promote inclusive and innovation-led growth, enhance food security, and pursue maritime cooperation.

He welcomed Hungary’s intent to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of regional partnerships.*

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