The Hungarian-Kuwaiti Joint Economic Commission held its Fourth Session in Kuwait City on 11-12th September 2023
The Fourth Session of the Hungarian-Kuwaiti Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in Kuwait City on 11-12th September 2023, co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Tamás Vargha, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Defence and Parliamentary State Secretary, Co-Chair of the Hungarian Side and his Kuwaiti partner H.E. Ms. Aseel Al-Saad Al- Munifi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, Co-Chair of the Kuwaiti Side. During his visit to Kuwait, the Hungarian Co-Chair had bilateral discussions with Mr. Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Sadoun, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Ms. Amani Suleiman Bugamaz, Minister of Public Works and with Mr. Ghanem Suleiman Al-Ghanaiman, Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority.
The State of Kuwait was the first country in the Gulf region to establish diplomatic relations with Hungary in 1964. Shortly after the establishment of diplomatic relations, Hungary opened a Trade Office in 1966 and the Hungarian Embassy was inaugurated in 1975 in the Gulf state. Hungary’s Eastern Opening policy – launched in 2012 – gave further impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation.
The frequency of high-level official visits between Hungary and the State of Kuwait clearly demonstrates the commitment of both governments to the deepening of relations. H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Kuwaiti partner, H.E. Mr. Salem Abdulah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah have held bilateral meetings on several occasions in the past years, most recently on 3rd July 2023 in Budapest. These meetings facilitate achieving greater outcomes in the form of tangible results. During the latest meeting of the foreign ministers, they expressed their interest in further tapping into the potentials of people-to-people interactions by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of tourism. In addition to active government relations, the Hungarian and Kuwaiti Speakers of the National Assemblies also maintain dynamic and trusting dialogue on selected topics.
Next year, Hungary and the State of Kuwait mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral relations. Ahead of this significant occasion, the Fourth Session of the Hungarian-Kuwaiti JEC provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen our partnership and to take our diplomatic and economic relations to a new level.
During the recent JEC Session, the Co-Chairs identified the priorities and the main directions of future cooperation in several fields, including economy, finance, investment and trade, information and communication technology and knowledge, digital technology transfer, scientific research, public works, water management, tourism, agriculture, energy, education and culture. The Sides discussed opportunities for the involvement of Hungarian companies in the implementation of the Kuwaiti development plan for the period of 2023-2027. The Fourth Session of the JEC took place in a cordial atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation, reflecting the friendly relations between the two countries. Following the Plenary Session, the Co-Chairs signed the Protocol of the JEC and agreed to hold the Fifth Session of the Commission in Budapest.
