KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait and Hungary on Thursday signed a number of accords for cooperation in various fields namely cybersecurity. The agreements were inked during a meeting that grouped the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya and his visiting Hungarian counterpart, who is also the Minister of Commercial Affairs, Peter Szijjarto, at the ministry headquarters.

The two sides discussed the solid relations bonding the two friendly countries and means of promoting the ties in various sectors. Moreover, the two sides talked about current regional and international developments. Following the meeting, the Kuwaiti and Hungarian sides inked a number of accords and memos, “depicting the resolve of the two friendly countries to enhance the mutual cooperation in diverse vital fields,” a statement said.

One of the inked memoranda of understanding deals with cybersecurity cooperation and an executive program for cultural cooperation for the period (2024-2027). Another was signed between Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute and the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy. On Wednesday, Minister Al-Yahya received Szijjarto and his accompanying delegation upon their arrival at the airport, starting an official visit which ended Thursday.

Hungarian and Kuwaiti officials sit for discussions at the headquarters of Kuwait's foreign ministry.

Minister Al-Yahya and Minister Szijjarto shake hands after signing several memoranda of understanding Thursday.

Rekindling ties

The Hungarian-Kuwaiti relationship and diplomatic connections date back to 1964, with the two countries celebrating 60 years of relations this coming December. Hungarian Ambassador to Kuwait Andras Szabo told Kuwait Times after his appointment late last year that his country was committed to strengthening diplomatic ties with Kuwait, which was the first in the region to establish diplomatic relations with Hungary. The Hungarian ambassador, reflecting on the historical trajectory of bilateral relations, highlighted the zenith during the ’80s and ’90s when around 10,000 Hungarian citizens thrived in various sectors in Kuwait, notably in medical and sports domains.

However, with Hungary’s shifting focus to Europe, particularly after joining the European Union in 2004, ties experienced a decline. He expressed a commitment to rekindling these relations and his dedication to advancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

The trade volume between the two countries stands at $30 million, Szabo said at the time. According to the Hungarian Ambassador, Foreign Minister Szijjarto was due to visit Kuwait in March 2024 to sign the cybersecurity deal. It’s not clear why the visit was delayed by six months. The Hungarian-Kuwaiti Joint Economic Committee, which meets every two years, is set to meet in 2025 in Hungary, he said.