Szijjarto: Tunisia, Hungary to mutually honour immunity certificates

Under the agreement, Hungarians who have been inoculated against Covid with any type of vaccine can enter Tunisia upon presenting a negative PCR test from December 16, the minister said in Tunis, according to a statement of the foreign ministry.

Hungary has now reached agreements on mutual recognition of Covid immunity certificates with 26 countries, Szijjarto said.

The foreign minister held talks with Othman Jerandi, his Tunisian counterpart, and they signed agreements on cooperation in health care, welfare, diplomatic education and culture. They also signed a cooperation agreement between Hungary’s Eximbank and Tunisia’s National Agricultural Bank (BNA).

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Szijjarto said that Hungary would provide 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and 10 ventillators to Tunisia to help its coronavirus protection efforts. The contribution can also help maintaining stability, he said, adding that Europe’s security was “depends to a great extent” on developments in the African continent.

Increasing the rate of full vaccination and ease pressure posed by migrants coming from the African continent is key to Europe’s security, he said. “Tunisia, and North Africa, can play a key role in this endeavour which is why the Hungarian government is providing medical and defence support to the country,” Szijjarto said, noting Hungarian training programmes for Tunisian law enforcement and police forces.

Speaking about economic ties, Szijjarto noted a 38 percent increase in this year’s volume of trade.

He also noted education cooperation in framework of which Hungary provides university grants to 200 Tunisian students each year.

Szijjarto said Tunisia is a highly popular travel destination, with some 15,000 Hungarian visiting the country in 2019.

Later in the day, Szijjarto is scheduled to meet President Kais Saied and several ministers, the ministry said.