Hungary hopes to be gateway to Europe for Chinese enterprises: former PM

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Megyessy Peter said Friday in Beijing that Hungary and China "share broad cooperation" and that Hungary hopes to become "Chinese enterprises' entrance to the European market."

At a press conference held by the Hungarian embassy in Beijing, Megyessy said Hungary-China relations maintained positive development in recent years and the trade volume between the two countries continued to grow.

"Hungary is ready to cement cooperation with China in various sectors especially in agriculture, high-tech industry, energy, automobile-manufacture and tourism," Megyessy said.

Hungarian investment in China amounts to 40 million to 50 million US dollars, he said. Hungarian enterprises expect to actively take part in China's development of the western region and the revitalization of northeast China's old industrial bases.

A good example is that a Hungary-China joint-venture will soon be set up in north China's Inner Mongolia, with a total planned investment of 200 million US dollars, Megyessy said, adding that Hungarian enterprises also hope to play an active role in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Shanghai Expo in 2010.

Megyessy, who was Hungarian Prime Minister from April 2002 to September 2004, is now the Hungarian ambassador at large and a special advisor to the Prime Minister on international affairs.

Megyessy arrived here Wednesday for a week-long visit as guest of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Xinhua