Malaysia observes important occasions
Some 200 officials and guests from the Hungarian central and local government agencies, ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, NGOs and think-tanks, business people and members of the media attended the reception.
The Ambassador of Malaysia to Hungary, Francisco Munis, in his address underscored Malaysia’s achievement and journey as a progressive nation, the Malaysian-Hungarian long friendship and active relations, as well as his country’s readiness as the 2025 Chair of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Ambassador Munis highlighted that the journey of Malaysia and Malaysians has indeed been colourful. Malaysia had progressed as a nation, weathering the different eras of challenges and development, a journey made possible by a national unity that stems from its progressive and harmonious people.
He said that internationally, Malaysia’s foreign policy is founded on the values of peace, humanity, justice and equality, with the thrust to contribute meaningfully towards a just and equitable community of nations. These aims had allowed Malaysia to be a friendly country that is able to play role and contribute towards international peace, stability and prosperity.
In the context of Malaysia-Hungary relations, the Ambassador stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1969, the two countries have nurtured cordial and warm relations, sharing common values and mutual respect, and demonstrating an enriched and mature friendship.

The long decades of constant engagements by the leaders and peoples of both countries had been effectively translated into formal collaborations in numerous mutually beneficial areas of common interest. This had been accomplished through the signing of strategic bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding in trade and investment, education, agriculture, visa waiver, fiscal and taxation, information, air services, and science and technology.
Ambassador Munis said that in the past few years, regular exchange of visits undertaken at all levels by the public and private sectors has seen increasing awareness and interest on the potentials of the bilateral relations, has deepened understanding and opened up prospects for collaboration in areas of untapped competence, such as in tourism, cultural, environmental, security, healthcare, renewable energy and digital economy.
The year 2024 denotes the 55th Year of Diplomatic Relations. As both countries commemorate this milestone, the outlook of both bilateral and multilateral collaborations is moving robustly. The Ambassador said he looks to elevating further the relationship with more engagements, cooperations and exchanges, particularly in enhancing the volume of total trade, which stood at EUR 660 million in 2023.
Looking forward, he said he is positive that with the recent establishment of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee for Economic and Industrial Cooperation (JIEC) between Malaysia and Hungary, trade and investment exchanges can be further elevated in the years to come.
The 90 days visa-free agreement between both countries would continue to complement the effort and strengthen further bilateral foundation, especially in promoting and encouraging people-to-people connection and interactions in businesses and tourism, creating the prospect for future mutually beneficial collaboration and cooperation.
Malaysia highly valued its friendship with Hungary and remained committed to complementing and maximising the potentials of the relationship.
On Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, the Ambassador reiterated that Malaysia as one of the founding members of ASEAN had advocated and constructively played a significant role in the development of this peaceful grouping. Under its chairmanship, Malaysia would continue to foster and emphasise the vision for a united ASEAN that stands as a formidable regional bloc, and would promote the importance of ASEAN centrality and as a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality.
Stressing on Malaysia’s readiness as the Chair of ASEAN 2025, the Ambassador also echoed that Malaysia welcomes and is supportive of Hungary’s intention to be part of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. He said he hopes that Hungary’s accession to the treaty could soon be concluded. Also, Malaysia wishes for a successful Hungarian Presidency of the European Union. Hungary’s full support for the principle of ASEAN centrality and efforts to promote ASEAN-EU relations during its EU Presidency would help bridge the strengthening of the ASEAN-EU relations, as well as the Malaysian-EU relations.

Representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Adam Stifter, the Deputy State Secretary for the Development of Eastern Relations, addressed the gathering, He highlighted that the 55th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Hungary and Malaysia, since its establishment in 1969, is testament to the flourishing of bilateral cooperation, transcending geographic distance, based on mutual respect and friendship, and has never been stronger than today. Both countries cooperated closely in international organisations and shared the belief in a rules-based international order and multilateral solutions to address global challenges.
Stifter added that Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has just visited Malaysia in March 2024 and Hungary is already looking forward to Szijjártó’s upcoming visit to Kuala Lumpur to co-chair the Inaugural Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Economic and Industrial Cooperation between the two countries.
Earlier, on 31 August 2024, Ambassador Munis hosted a flag-raising ceremony and a reception to commemorate the 67th National Day and 61st Malaysia Day, at the Embassy of Malaysia in the Budapest Chancery’s compound for the 200-strong Malaysian community in Hungary.