Budapest (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptionsfor leaders of the Hungary-Vietnam Friendship Association, the HungarianSocialist Party and the Hungarian Workers' Party in Budapest on January 20morning (local time), as part of his official visit to the European country.

Receiving President of the Hungary-Vietnam Friendship AssociationLaszlo Botz, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the affection andvaluable support of the Hungarian Government and people for its past strugglefor national independence and reunification and the current nation building anddevelopment cause, during which the association has played an important roleand made great contributions.

Laszlo Botz praised the good outcomes of Chinh's visitto Hungary, noting his belief that after the visit, Vietnam - Hungary cooperation willcontinue to develop in all fields, including in people-to-people diplomacy ingeneral and activities of his association in particular.

He proposed Vietnam work with Hungary in stepping uppeople-to-people exchanges, and create favourable conditions for their peopleto understand more about the other’s land, people and culture.

Receiving Co-President of the Hungarian Socialist Party(MSZP) Ágnes Kunhalmi, PM Chinh said that one of the purposes of his visit isto promote relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Hungarianparties so as to contribute to strengthening the two countries’ fine traditionalrelationship.

Ágnes Kunhalmi stated that the MSZP always backs andpromotes Hungary-Vietnam relations, and has made important contributions toHungary's foreign policy, which prioritises relations with Vietnam.

Chinh affirmed that Vietnam supports Hungary's spirit ofgreat solidarity, for a strong Hungary and wealthy and happy Hungarian people.He expressed his hope that the Hungarian Socialist Party will continue to back therecognition of the Vietnamese community in Hungary as an ethnicminority group, to join with other ethnic groups to build a strong and prosperousHungary.

At his meeting with President of the Hungarian Workers' Party Gyula Thürmer, theVietnamese Government leader said that Vietnam always treasures and hopes toenhance its traditional relations with Hungary, thus contributing to peace,stability, cooperation and development in the regions and the world.

He proposed the two parties increase information sharing anddelegation exchanges to promote mutual understanding, political trust, and the exchangeof theoretical and practical issues.

Gyula Thürmer said he will support the Hungarian Government’s policy towards Vietnam, and foster friendship and cooperation between his party and the CPV.

On the same day, PM Chinh visited the Thang Long tradecentre - the first and largest invested, managed and operated by Vietnamesepeople in Hungary - in Budapest.

Later on the day, the PM and his entourage left Budapest for an official visit toRomania at an invitation of Romanian PM Ion-Marcel Ciolacu./.