Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi held talks in Budapest

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s State Counsellor, in Budapest on Wednesday, and they discussed illegal migration and bilateral ties in the areas of the economy, education and culture. Foreign minister Szijjártó also held talks with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Illegal migration is a primary challenge both for Myanmar and Hungary, as well as for Southeast Asia and Europe in general, and the issue of how to live together with the growing Muslim population emerged in both regions, Bertalan Havasi, the PM’s spokesman, said, outlining the talks that took place in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Orbán said Hungary supports trade cooperation between the European Union and Myanmar but rejects “the export of democracy” and the approach of Brussels and other western bureaucrats who try to mix unrelated issues such as economic cooperation with domestic affairs.

He said emphasis was placed on educational and cultural ties but there were untapped opportunities in economic cooperation. Foreign trade ministers of the two countries will therefore intensify their cooperation, he added.

Orbán said that Hungarians respected Aung San Suu Kyi for her endeavours for her country’s freedom and democratic transformation.

Foreign minister Szijjártó praises Aung San Suu Kyi for prioritising national interests

After talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar in Budapest on Wednesday, Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, said that Hungary greatly appreciated leaders who prioritised the interests of their nation and made sacrifices for it.