Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam is ready to work as a bridge to enhance cooperation between Hungary and the community of ASEAN countries.

PM Dung made the remarks while receiving visiting Hungarian Foreign Minister Goncz Kinga in Ha Noi on March 20.

The PM said the Vietnamese community in Hungary will help promote cooperative ties between the two countries in economic, commercial, education, culture, tourism and other areas.

He said the Vietnamese people always remember Hungary ’s valuable assistance to Viet Nam and hoped the two countries continue promoting cooperation in line with both sides’ potential.

The PM said he hoped the Hungarian government would soon approve an official development assistance of 35 million EUR for Vietnam . He said that the Hungarian Minister’s visit would contribute to promoting traditional friendship and cooperation between the governments and people of the two countries.

FM Goncz Kinga said the Hungarian government will approve 35 million EUR in development assistance for Vietnam . She affirmed Hungarian businesses are looking to Vietnam to expand their investment and business.

Hungarian businesses are preparing to open a representative office for investment promotion in Vietnam , she said, adding that they are interested in tourism and urban development in the country.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the role of Vietnamese community and those Vietnamese who have studied and worked in Hungary , saying they are a foundation for the two countries to promote cooperation and investment.

On the same day, Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc and Foreign Minister Goncz Kinga signed a memorandum of understanding on development cooperation between the two countries.

The MoU will serve as a legal basis for Vietnam-Hungary development cooperation activities.