Hungary, Kazakhstan establish Strategic Council

The council will make proposals and recommendations to support progress, focusing on the development of bilateral economic ties. It will also weigh the possibility of tapping national and international funding sources, Varga said, according to a statement released by his ministry today. The council comprises three members from each country. The Kazakh side is headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrisov and the Hungarian side by Varga. 

Varga said about 60 Hungarian business leaders participated at a meeting of the Kazakh-Hungarian Business Council, which coincided with the commission meeting. A number of deals were sealed, including agreements on the production of equipment for healthcare research and the construction of wind turbines, as well as a deal between Rail Cargo Hungaria and its Kazakh counterpart.

Varga noted the launch of the Kazakh-Hungarian Agriculture Investment Fund, which provides new perspectives to farming ties between the two countries. Each country will contribute USD 10 million to the fund at the start, he added.

Varga also agreed with the Kazakh energy minister on establishing a working group to support cooperation in nuclear energy.

A declaration of intent on cooperation in the areas of health tourism, the healthcare industry and employment policy was also signed. Another declaration of intent was signed on an exchange of information between the Hungarian State Treasury and the Kazakh Ministry of Finance.

Varga said Hungarian companiesʼ participation at the Expo 2017 Astana could support their entry into markets in Central Asia. The international exposition, slated for June-September next year, will involve more than 100 countries, and is expected to draw at least five million visitors.

Varga said a teacher training center will also be set up in Almaty under the professional guidance of Budapestʼs Pető Institute, which teaches children who have cerebral palsy.