Hungary will support Ireland in its campaign to gain a seat on the UN Security Council, the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture, Dr Joef Torgyan, said yesterday after a meeting with his Irish counterpart in Dublin.
The ministers signed a memorandum of understanding, setting out the basis of continuing co-operation and exchanges which initially will involve Irish officials helping Hungary prepare for EU membership.
Dr Torgyan said he was very pleased the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, had agreed that Ireland would be supporting Hungary's application.
However, he said his Government's decision to support Ireland for the Security Council seat had nothing to do with Ireland's "selfless" assistance on EU membership.
Mr Walsh, who visited Hungary last month, said he welcomed Hungary and the other applicant countries as member states of the EU and he expected Hungary to be among the first to join the Union. Mr Walsh's visit and the signing of the memorandum was part of the process of establishing and improving relations with his counterparts in the applicant countries.
Dr Torgyan suggested that Irish companies should become involved in joint ventures in Hungary and that Ireland open an "Irish shop" in his country. Hungary could do the same in Ireland.