Indonesia, Hungary Agree to Enhance People-to-People Contact

President Jokowi welcomes Hungarian PM Viktor Orban at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (23/1). (Photo: Oji/PR)

Indonesia and Hungary have renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries; one of which is in the field of people-to-people contact.

The commitment statement was made during a courtesy call made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (23/1).

“This is the PM’s second visit to Indonesia (the first visit was in February 2016-red). Both leaders have a very warm relationship and discussed on several issues during the meeting,” Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said to reporters after the meeting.

According to Retno, the two leaders are committed to continuing to improve bilateral relations between two countries. Although Indonesia and Hungary are geographically far apart from each other, relations between the two countries is getting closer, she added.

“For that reason, with such a long distance separating the two countries, the most important thing is to build people to people relations,” Retno said, adding that the Hungarian Government has offered 100 scholarships for Indonesian students to study certain majors in Hungary, particularly science and technology innovation majors.

Retno added that Hungary is also committed to simplifying visa application process for Indonesian citizens. “Still in the framework of people to people contact, both countries have also agreed on cooperation in sports, namely football training for Indonesian athletes in Hungary,” Retno said. (TGH/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas