Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said that Europe as a whole appreciates Egypt’s role in promoting regional and international security and stability.
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Budapest on Friday, Magyar added that Hungary and Egypt are committed to supporting the efforts aimed at achieving stability and peace in the Middle East.
He also noted that Hungarian companies have substantial investments in Egypt, which he describes as the most important country in Africa.
The Hungarian prime minister welcomed the Egyptian delegation to Budapest, saying that extensive talks, including closed-door meetings, had addressed key issues of concern to the Middle East and Europe.
He expressed confidence that Egyptian-Hungarian relations would grow stronger in the future, MENA reported.
Magyar said that Hungary values its friendship with Egypt, noting that many Egyptian students and professionals live in the European country, alongside Egyptian businesspeople, while many Hungarians also work in Egypt. He described these ties as a strong foundation for deepening bilateral relations.
The Hungarian premier added that he told President Sisi that Hungary appreciates Egypt’s role in promoting security, stability and peace in the Middle East and across Europe, stressing that this appreciation extends beyond Hungary to the entire European continent.
Magyar stated that his discussions with President Sisi covered key regional issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, ongoing wars and their repercussions.
He stressed that both countries are committed to advancing peace and stability in the region, while Hungary seeks closer cooperation between the EU and Egypt.
Magyar noted that 2028 will mark the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Egypt and Hungary, as the two sides agreed to commemorate the occasion through organizing simultaneous events in both countries, with proposals including initiatives in higher education and specific investment projects.
On trade, Magyar said that the two countries already cooperated in several fields and are seeking to expand their partnership, build on the existing ties and promote the exchange of expertise between Egyptian and Hungarian companies.
He indicated that Hungarian companies are making major and significant investments in the wastewater sector, while joint investments are also underway in the energy sector in Egypt.
The Egyptian-Hungarian Joint Economic Committee is scheduled to meet next January, Magyar said, adding that his country will provide all necessary support to achieve balanced trade between the two countries.
The Hungarian premier also described Egypt as a large country and one of Africa’s most important and powerful nations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Magyar announced that Egypt and Hungary had agreed to complete the delivery of 44 new passenger rail cars for the Egyptian National Railways Authority, which are currently being manufactured in Hungary.
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Budapest on Friday evening, Magyar said the two countries signed a joint transport contract in 2018 covering the manufacture and delivery of more than 1,300 rail cars to Egypt. The original agreement also involved Russian partners, but complications arose following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
He said the new Hungarian government had made the agreement a priority from the moment it took office and opened negotiations with the Egyptian side. Magyar thanked El Sisi for his flexibility in addressing the issue, adding that the contract was now being completed. The two countries’ transport ministers had agreed that the remaining 44 cars would be manufactured by the Hungarian side and delivered to Egypt.
Magyar affirmed that cooperation with Egypt would continue in culture, education and higher education scholarships, as well as security policy. He also said Egypt could help Hungary expand its engagement in Africa, where Hungarian companies had significant opportunities to draw on their expertise. In return, Hungary would support Egypt and Egyptian companies in accessing opportunities within the European Union.
He expressed Hungary’s interest in building a strategic partnership with Egypt, saying the two countries could expand co-operation in transport, including high-speed rail, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals, creating joint business and employment opportunities for both sides.
Concluding his remarks, Magyar thanked Sisi for visiting Hungary, saying his country counted on Egypt and wished it continued success in the spirit of Egyptian-Hungarian friendship.
