Economy, trade among main priorities in ties with Hungary: Amir-Abdollahian

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the promotion of trade and economic cooperation is among Iran’s main priorities in relations with Hungary, calling for Tehran and Budapest to prepare a roadmap for bilateral ties.

According to Press TV, he made the remarks in a Thursday meeting with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, who is in Tehran at the head of an economic delegation.

During the meeting, the two top diplomats exchanged views on issues of common interest, including trade.

The FM called for efforts to enhance Tehran-Budapest cooperation in economy and trade, which he described as a main priority for the Islamic Republic in ties with Hungary.

Amir-Abdollahian proposed a joint commission meeting to prepare a roadmap for the expansion of mutual relations at the earliest.

He criticized a delay in the implementation of the previously-signed agreements and stressed the importance of doubling efforts to remove the obstacles in this field.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the two sides signed three memorandum of understanding (MoUs) in the areas of education and culture. Hungary undertook, under one of the agreements, to grant scholarships to Iranian university students.

Officials of the two countries are also scheduled to hold a session of the Iran-Hungary joint economic committee later on Thursday.

Szijjarto is scheduled to hold talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi later in the day. This is the first visit by Hungarian foreign minister to Tehran since the inauguration of the new Iranian administration in August.

SS