Minister promotes people-to-people ties during visit
PUBLISHED : 5 Feb 2026 at 06:05
Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó says people-to-people relations are the key to strengthening bilateral relations between Thailand and Hungary.
During an official visit to the kingdom this week, Mr Szijjártó said his trip marks another important milestone in bilateral ties, especially in people-people connections through the signing of two agreements.
The first was a memorandum of understanding between Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry. It aims to strengthen cooperation between two countries in the field of scholarship, Mr Szijjártó told the Bangkok Post.
“So currently, we have offered 40 scholarships a year to Thai students to study at Hungarian universities,” he added.
The second MoU was a cooperation agreement for economic training between the Thailand Chamber of Commerce University and an institution in Hungary.
Mr Szijjártó’s itinerary during his visit included a lecture at the Thai Chamber of Commerce University under the topic of “Hungarian Perspectives on Connectivity and Security Challenges amid Global Economic Uncertainties”.
Thailand and Hungary represent similar positions when it comes to current security-related challenges, as both countries share the same value on peaceful negotiation and settlement of the conflicts.
“I think history has shown clearly that wars usually end around the negotiating table and not on the battlefield. Therefore, we cooperate through international organisations to help the peaceful settlement of armed conflicts nowadays,” he added.
Hungary has been looking to Thailand as one of its main partners in Southeast Asia, through lending support to Thailand’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Mr Szijjártó said Hungary offers the most attractive investment environment in Europe. Meanwhile, some Thai companies have been benefiting from the nation’s economic boost.
Hungary offers the lowest tax rates in Europe. Mr Szijjártó said the country has a flat tax rate of 15% of personal income while the corporate tax rate is 9%, the only single-digit corporate tax rate in Europe.
Hungary’s relations with Moscow are another key factor for the country to keep its energy prices as one of the lowest in Europe.
Moreover, Hungary offers a well-trained labour force due to a dual vocational training system, which means both higher and secondary educational institutions connect closely with the economy and industry and are able to supply companies with suitable human resources, said Mr Szijjártó.
Hungarian firms are keen to enter the Thai market, especially in sectors of medical devices and food industry.
Several Thai hospitals have been relying on Hungarian-made X-ray machines and implants.
link