The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, His Excellency Péter Szijjártó has arrived in the Maldives today, on an official visit, on the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid.
This is the first official visit from a Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and marks an important milestone in the 47-year-long bilateral relationship between the Maldives and Hungary.
During this visit, Minister Szijjártó held official talks with Minister Shahid and signed three agreements between Maldives and Hungary.
Firstly, the additional protocol to the MoU on Hungaricum Stipendium scholarships was signed by Szijjártó and Maldivian Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan. With the additional protocol, the annual scholarships offered by Hungary to Maldivian students will increase from 15 slots to 25 slots.
The second MoU was on economic cooperation, signed by Szijjártó and Maldivian Foreign Minister Shahid. According to Shahid, the agreement aims to promote business linkages and facilitate the growth of bilateral trade and investments in several areas such as construction, hospitality and tourism through the exchange of officials and experts between the two countries.
Lastly, the MoU on cooperation in the field of sports diplomacy was signed by Szijjártó and Maldivian Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof. According to Shahid, the agreement will facilitate the exchange of technical skills, information, and training programs between the two countries.
