DFA: PHL to send trade delegation to Europe in October

A Philippine business delegation will go to Hungary and its surrounding countries in Europe in October this year to strengthen trade, labor and tourism cooperation, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. The DFA said this followed the third political consultations between the Philippines and Hungary in Budapest on June 3. "The Philippines will send a business delegation to Hungary and surrounding countries in October 2011. Ways on further strengthening trade, labor and tourism cooperation were also explored," the DFA said in a news release on its website. The DFA said the consultations in Budapest sought to find ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Officials from the Philippine DFA and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) attended the political consultations. During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) was signed. DFA Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio, representing FSI Director Ambassador Laura del Rosario, and HIIA Director Dr. Tamas Magyarics were among the signatories. The MOU would enable the exchange of information on good practices and exploration of possible areas of cooperation. During the political consultations, Basilio and Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs János Hóvári led the Philippine and Hungarian delegations, respectively. Joining Basilio were Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Monina Estrella Callangan-Rueca and DFA Office of European Affairs Acting Director Rosanna Josue. "The foreign policy goals of both countries were presented, with a view to formulating more initiatives to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Hungary," the DFA said. As the current European Union President, Hungary has been of valuable assistance during the repatriation efforts and instrumental in the opening of "humanitarian corridors" during the Libya crisis earlier this year. In multilateral fora, the Philippines and Hungary work together on issues of mutual interest, such as interfaith dialogue and human rights. In March 2010, Hungary participated in the Special Non-aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development in Manila. - VVP, GMA News