Foreign Minister Oana Toiu held a meeting on Tuesday with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Peter Szijjarto, during which the dynamism of the dialogue between the two countries was highlighted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) reported.

According to an MAE press release, Oana Toiu voiced appreciation for Hungary’s support regarding Romania’s Schengen accession.

‘Romania’s membership now brings concrete benefits to both countries, both for the business environment and for citizens. Beyond facilitating travel and transport, it generates efficiency gains with an impact on turnover. Bilateral trade volume has increased 13% since Romania joined the Schengen area. A positive trend is also seen in the volume of bilateral investments, with the Romanian Foreign Minister vocing hope for an open and effective dialogue with the Hungarian government regarding Romanian investments in Hungary,’ the release reads.

The two officials discussed intensifying bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in sectoral areas such as infrastructure, transport and energy.

‘The important role of people belonging to national minorities in deepening the ties between Romania and Hungary was underlined,’ MAE added.

The two ministers agreed that the next Joint Economic Committee will take place in the first part of next year, the last session having been held in 2021.

‘This is essential given the more than 1,000 companies with Romanian capital in Hungary and the growth prospects. Romania leads the ‘Friends of Cohesion’ Group. In this context, the two ministers discussed the importance of negotiations on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF),’ the press release also reads.

Oana Toiu underlined Romania’s desire to maintain an ‘open, pragmatic and constructive’ approach in dialogue with Hungary based on the Strategic Partnership. This also includes a frank dialogue on all topics, ‘including those where the two sides do not share similar positions,’ MAE pointed out.

‘The two ministers also discussed the regional security situation and the prospects for peace negotiations to end Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In addition, Minister Oana Toiu highlighted the importance of action at European level based on unity and solidarity. The Romanian official reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to supporting the European path of both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as partners in the Western Balkans, based on the principle of own merits,’ MAE added. AGERPRES