Hungary–Sri Lanka relations explained

Hungary–Sri Lanka relations are foreign relations between Hungary and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has an embassy in Vienna, Austria that is accredited to Hungary[1] and has a consul in Budapest[2] Hungary maintains a consulate in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[3]

History

Diplomatic relations started on February 15, 1959, at the ambassadorial level. Razik Zarook was the first ambassador.[4] T. B. Ilangaratne, the Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs was the first prestigious person who visited Hungary from Sri Lanka, in 1964. Since then the two countries have exchanged occasional high-level visits. In 1975 the two countries signed an Agreement on Technological and Scientific Cooperation, and in 1979 they signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement.

In June 2004, the Sri Lankan Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said that trade exchanges and the bilateral agreements between Sri Lanka and Hungary were beneficial to both countries, and vowed to establish a sustainable link with Hungary.[5]

In November 2006, officials of the Ministry of Finance visited Hungary. The meeting resulted in finalizing of a Framework Agreement for Financial Cooperation with Hungary, worth Euro51 million.[6] The agreement was signed in February 2007.[7] [8] In August 2008 Dr. Géza Pálmai, Ambassador for Hungary, visited Sri Lanka and met with the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama. They discussed enhanced bilateral relations, investment by Hungarian companies in Sri Lanka, improvements in trade and tourism and Hungarian investment in infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka.[9]

Between 20 and 22 April 2009 a delegation of Sri Lankan business people met with their counterparts in Budapest to discuss trade opportunities.[10] Addressing the meeting, Export Development and International Trade Minister G.L. Peiris said the advent of a stable peace removes the main impediment to economic development and makes available a wide range of opportunities for trade and investment. In reply, Gyorgy Kapati of the Chamber of Commerce of Hungary said that the Hungarian business sector considers the developing situation in Sri Lanka particularly conducive to investment[7]

Development aid

Hungary contributed to relief after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and has since stepped up aid to Sri Lanka.[11]

Hungary has contributed to relief and reconstruction efforts after the tsunami in Sri Lanka and other countries.[12] This included a contribution of wheat flour valued at US$55,000.[13] Hungary also sent doctors and medicine to assist the survivors.[14] Private donations contributed to construction of a 100-housing unit village.[15]

In 2009, the Hungarian government planned to invest 2,850 million rupees (about USD24 million) for construction and supply of sophisticated machinery for a sea sand plant in Kalutara, Sri Lanka.[16]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka . Sri Lankan Embassy in Vienna . 2009-05-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070305173938/http://www.srilankaembassy.at/MainPage.htm . 2007-03-05.
  2. Web site: List of honorary consuls in Hungary . Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary . hu . 2009-05-03 . 2009-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090101165847/http://www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/kum/hu/bal/Kulpolitikank/tb_konz_konf_2008/tb_konz_intezmeny_testulet/hun_tb_konz_lista.htm . dead .
  3. Web site: Consulate of the Republic of Hungary . https://web.archive.org/web/20070610020959/http://www.slmfa.gov.lk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=789&Itemid=84 . dead . 2007-06-10 . Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary . 2009-05-03.
  4. Web site: Profiles of New President's Counsel . Sri Lanka Daily news . 2006-07-06 . 2009-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091029142648/http://www.dailynews.lk/2006/07/06/news29.asp . 2009-10-29 .
  5. News: Finance Minister vows to establish sustainable link with Hungary . Rohan Mathes . Sri Lanka Daily news . 21 June 2004 . 2009-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110604213632/http://www.dailynews.lk/2004/06/21/pol01.html . 4 June 2011 .
  6. Web site: Visit by Finance Ministry Officials to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia and the UNIDO – Sri Lanka Forum . Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka . 2009-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070610054726/http://www.slmfa.gov.lk//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=709&Itemid=1 . 2007-06-10 .
  7. Web site: Stable peace opens investment and trade opportunities . Daily News (Sri Lanka) . 28 April 2009 . 2009-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110604213102/http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/04/28/news58.asp . 4 June 2011 .
  8. News: The Role of International Agreements and Diplomacy in Promoting Sri Lankan Business . June 25, 2008 . Sri Lanka Guardian . 2009-05-03.
  9. Web site: Sri Lanka seeks enhanced ties with Hungary . Policy Research & Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka . August 27, 2008 . 2009-05-03.
  10. Web site: Sri Lankan Mission to Hungary . Rri Lanka export development board . 2009-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716125014/http://www.srilankabusiness.com/announ/hungary/europ.html . 2011-07-16 .
  11. Web site: Bilateral Relations (Sri Lanka) . Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary . 2009-05-03 .
  12. Web site: Hungarian International Development Policy . Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary . 2009-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081114230237/http://www.mfa.gov.hu/NR/rdonlyres/933C1461-8F65-403A-B841-B0A37C755BF4/0/061206_newdonor.pdf . 2008-11-14 .
  13. Web site: WFP hails donation from Hungary for Sri Lanka tsunami survivors . United Nations World Food Programme . 2009-05-03.
  14. News: Hungary sending doctors, medicines to tsunami-hit Sri Lanka . Europe Intelligence Wire . 27 December 2004 . 2009-05-03.
  15. Web site: Hungarian village built for Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka . Europe Intelligence Wire . 10 Feb 2006 . 2009-05-03.
  16. Web site: Hungarian funding for sea-sand plant in Sri Lanka . AgrarHaszon (Agricultural Benefits) magazine . 2009-04-01 . 2009-05-03.

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