OREANDA-NEWS. Diplomatic and economic issues were on the agenda at bilateral talks held by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó on Tuesday, who is in New York attending the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Minister took part in nine bilateral meetings, four of which were negotiations with foreign ministers from African countries in the interests of expanding economic relations with the continent.

Diplomatic and economic issues were on the agenda at bilateral talks held by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó on Tuesday, who is in New York attending the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Minister took part in nine bilateral meetings, four of which were negotiations with foreign ministers from African countries in the interests of expanding economic relations with the continent.

Hungary’s chief diplomat concluded an agreement on consultation between their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso, in addition to which Hungary agreed to provide scholarships for students from Guatemala to attend Hungarian universities. “Hungary is calling for the further development of cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the Latin American region”, Mr. Szijjártó told the press, adding that “Guatemala will also be supporting our bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council”.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj, Mr. Szijjártó assured his negotiating partner that Hungary remains committed to the European integration of the Western Balkans and is supporting the affording to visa-free travel to Kosovan citizens.

During his negotiations with Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay, Mr. Szijjártó and his Philippines counterpart had confirmed their agreement on economic cooperation, which the parties are due to sign in January when Hungary opens its Embassy in Manila, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the press. “Trade flow between Hungary and the Philippines exceeds 200 million dollars, and so we are calling for the European Union to sign a free trade agreement with Southeast Asian country”, he added.

During his round of bilateral talks on Tuesday, Mr. Szijjártó also met with U.S. Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland.