Budapest hosts Francophone parliamentary meeting, showcasing Hungary’s global engagement

Budapest has hosted the annual meeting of the Economic, Social and Environmental Committee of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly, with the three-day event concluding on Friday, the Office of Parliament said in a statement.

The chief aim of the event organised by the APF section of the Hungarian Parliament was to strengthen cooperation between Francophone countries, especially regarding economic, social and environmental issues, the statement said.

Events included a business seminar on water management, sustainable farming and food safety, and electronic data security, while the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) provided a platform for innovative Hungarian companies to showcase their business dealings in African and Asian countries.

The Hungarian Parliament has been an associate member of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly for more than thirty years, chairwoman of the Francophone delegation of the Hungarian Parliament, Katalin Csöbör noted, adding that Hungary has hosted numerous related events.

Hungary has also been an observer member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) for twenty years, she said, adding that the organisation was devoted to preserving linguistic and cultural identity, which was important to Hungary.

László Kövér, the speaker of parliament, opened the session of the FPA’s economic, social and environmental committee (CAESE) on the second day. Meanwhile, Csöbör presented an award to Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux, president of the Francophone Alliance, for his outstanding work in the economic, social and humanitarian fields, the statement noted.