Hungary to provide 200 quotas for study of Kyrgyz students

Bishkek, Dec. 24, 2020. /Kabar/. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Kazakbaev met with Hungarian Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Shandor Dorogi, the press service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday. Shandor Dorogi presented to Ruslan Kazakbaev copies of credentials. In turn, the Kyrgyz minister welcomed the arrival of the Hungarian ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, noted that the country attaches importance to the strategic partnership established with Hungary. The foreign minister informed the ambassador about the internal political situation in Kyrgyzstan, the upcoming early presidential elections and the referendum of Jan. 10, 2021. During the meeting, the sides also debated a wide range of issues on bilateral cooperation agenda: organization of high and highest level visits to the Kyrgyz Republic, creation of the Kyrgyz-Hungarian Strategic Council, and establishment of the Kyrgyz-Hungarian Development Fund. Special attention was paid to issues of trade and economic cooperation of the countries. Foreign Minister Kazakbaev underlined the importance of further work within the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, and confirmed the readiness to establish a Business Council with Hungary. Ambassador to Dorogi expressed the readiness of the Hungarian side to cooperate in agriculture, creation of joint ventures. The minister and the ambassador also noted the importance of intensifying cooperation in tourism, as well as work on the opening of direct Bishkek-Budapest flight, which will contribute to increased trade and economic contacts between the countries. The Kyrgyz side also expressed a request to consider the possibility of issuing a Schengen visa for Kyrgyz citizens by the Hungarian Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic. Special attention was paid to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Shandor Dorogi informed about the Hungarian side's decision to provide quotas for 200 Kyrgyz students to study in universities of Hungary starting next year. In turn, Kazakbaev suggested to consider the possibility of opening Kyrgyz-Hungarian high schools in the cities of Bishkek and Osh. The Kyrgyz minister also thanked the Hungarian side for the assistance and support provided to Kyrgyzstan within the EU and on a bilateral basis in the fight against coronavirus. At the end of the meeting, he wished Shandor Dorogi success in his work in Kyrgyzstan.