“Increasing cooperation with Algeria is both an economic and security interest”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó declared in a telephone statement to Hungarian news agency MTI from Algiers on Tuesday.
Accordingly, it is incomprehensible that it has been 34 years since a Hungarian Foreign Minister has visited the North African country, he pointed out.
“The security situation in North Africa has an absolute, direct and immediate effect on the security situation in Europe, and for this reason it is in the clear interests of Europe, and within it Hungary, for there to be peace and stability in North Africa”, Mr. Szijjártó stressed, who also emphasised that if this is unsuccessful then the effects will be felt in Europe in the form of increased immigration pressure.
According to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Algeria is without question a partner in reducing immigration pressure and the two countries agree that immigration pressure must be handled at its points of origin and people must be provided with assistance close to home.
“Hungary is urging for more intensive dialogue between the European Union and Algeria, and is calling for the next session of the EU-Algeria Association Council to be held as early as February”, Mr. Szijjártó told the press.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade explained that a significant transformation of the economy is underway in Algeria in view of the fact that the price of fossil fuels has fallen and until now a major part of the country’s income derived from this source; for instance Algeria is the fifth largest exporter of natural gas to the European Union.
Mr. Szijjártó stressed that the restructuring of the economy represents a major opportunity for Hungarian enterprises, and especially within the field of agriculture, because Algeria would like to profit from Hungary’s accumulated expert knowledge and technology.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister informed the press that during his visit an agreement was concluded on the construction of a Hungarian milk processing plant, in addition to which negotiations are also underway on the construction of a feed plant, which could be followed by further investments. “The increased presence of Hungarian enterprises on the Algerian market will be facilitated by a Hungarian trade representation, which will open in March, and by the 270 million dollar credit line opened by Hungary’s Eximbank”, he added.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced that the Algerian Prime Minister is expected to visit Hungary during the first half of 2017 and several agreements on education, culture, sport and youth were successfully finalised during his current visit and will be concluded in Budapest. Mr. Szijjártó also felt it was important to stress that Hungary is providing 100 scholarship places for Algerian students to attend Hungarian universities, and 87 Algerian students are already studying in Hungary with scholarships.