Szijjarto: Hungary, Chad to launch cooperation in several strategic areas

The cooperation programme will cover several strategic areas, Szijjarto told a joint press conference held with counterpart Mahamat Saleh Annadif.

Security is the basis for economic development and social stability, and Hungary is ready to contribute to Chad’s efforts to guarantee security in the Sahel — which is highly important for Europe — in an effort to bring about successful counter-terrorism endeavours, he said.

With parliament’s approval, Hungary is preparing to send as many as 200 soldiers to Chad next year for this purpose, he added.

“The concrete form of this military cooperation will depend on the decision of your government and your parliament,” he said.

Commenting on other areas of cooperation, he said, the government supports investments by Hungarian companies in three areas that are important to Chad, including safe water supplies, agricultural modernisation and the digitalisation of the economy.

Under the arrangements of humanitarian cooperation, Hungary has sent and will continue to send medical missions to Chad, contributing to services offered to around one million refugees staying in the country. Additionally, 25 students from Chad will have a chance to study at Hungarian universities with scholarship, he said.