The Department of Foreign Affairs announced today that a meeting took place between the South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad and the Hungarian Political State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zsolt Nemeth. The discussions were also attended by senior representatives of both Foreign Departments. During Mr Nemeth’s visit to South Africa he visited Cape Town where he met with amongst others the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr F Ginwala and the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr B Ngubane. His visit builds on the State Visit of former President Mandela to Hungary in April last year.
During the meeting with Deputy Minister Pahad, a "Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between the Department of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Hungary" was signed. This memorandum makes provision for regular political consultations between South Africa and Hungary on the level of Ministers and senior officials in order to intensify political and other fields of co-operation between the two countries.
A millennium programme – Saint Stephan, first King of Hungary was crowned in 1000, which introduced the Christian State of Hungary – has been launched in Hungary running from 1 January 2000 to 20 August 2001. This programme will focus on arts, culture, science and technology co-operation and generally serve to add further momentum to bilateral relations. In South Africa a number of public figures have agreed to participate, also involving the 6000 strong Hungarian community. Minister Ben Ngubane will be the patron of the festivities in South Africa.
Trade between South Africa and Hungary amounted to R228 million during 1998. South Africa is well invested in Hungary, especially in the areas of beer through SAB, the paper industry through Mondi and the development of cinemas through Ster-Kinikor. Science and Technology co-operation is focused on biotechnology; medicine; environment and agriculture. Hungarian exports to South Africa including several agricultural products, such as meat and wines. The 100 Hungarian companies located in South Africa will further enhance exports. The export of South African artifacts to chain stores in Hungary will receive further attention, alongside academic exchanges, and tourism.
During their meeting the Ministers also deliberated on international issues of mutual concern, in particular the stabilizing role that both countries play in areas of conflict in their immediate regions. Hungary plays a major role in the Stability Pact on the Balkan, especially concerning the Kosovo issue. Hungary leads economic growth in its region and will soon become a member of the EU which opens up tremendous co-operation possibilities between the two countries. Potential co-operation with SADC also received attention.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
21 JANUARY 2000
ANNEXURE TO THE STATEMENT ON THE MEETING BETWEEN THE SA AFRICAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE HUNGARIAN POLITICAL STATE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ANNEXURE A
RSA/HUNGARY : BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
Agreements Signed
a.. trade agreement (1990)
a.. agreement on the exemption of visa requirements for and official
passport holders (February 1991)
a.. agreement on the exemption of visa requirements for business and
tourist visas for up to thirty days (February 1993)
a.. joint statement on cooperation between the Foreign Ministry of
Hungary and the South African Department of Foreign Affairs (February 1993)
a.. cultural, technological and scientific agreement (February 1993)
a.. aviation agreement (September 1993)
a.. agreement to prevent double taxation (February 1994)
a.. bilateral agreement between the South African and Hungarian Olympic
Committees (May 1994)
a.. agreement on agricultural cooperation (August 1996)
a.. science and technology agreement (November 1997)
a.. agreement on the combating of international crime (May 1999)
a.. agreement on Animal Health (May 1999)