Locsin seeks stronger ties with Hungary

The governments of Hungary and the Philippines seek to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Budapest and Manila in agriculture and water management.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., made the statement as visiting Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó sought to increase ties with the Philippines as part of Budapest’s Eastern Opening policy to shift focus on Southeast Asia. In the first 11 months of 2018, Hungary’s export to the Philippines reaching 71 percent.

“The food industry and water management could be the flagship areas for exports,” Szijjártó said during a joint press conference with Locsin as he expressed optimistism that trade between the two states will further increase in the following years.

At the same time, Locsin relayed Manila’s gratitude to Budapest for its support to the Christian communities and its donation to the victims of the recent bombings in Jolo, Sulu.

Szijjártó said the assistance is to express Hungary’s solidarity with the Philippines and signify its commitment to the global fight against Islamic extremism that had been a hotbed for terrorism.

Hungary was among the first to offer assistance and provide 10 million forints (about P1.89 million) in emergency aid to help the injured and the families of the victims last January.

Prior to his bilateral meeting with Szijjártó, Locsin gave a lecture on Philippine foreign policy at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest, where he explained the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs as a renewal of the country’s “solemn responsibility to protect the law-abiding against the lawless by any means efficient.”

“Rather than putting states in the dock as presumptively guilty of human rights violations, we might seriously consider invoking instead the great power — and therefore the great responsibility — of states to protect human rights and punish their violation,” he said in a speech.

“No serious state will violate human rights to govern. So why not ask states to help protect human rights — foremost among which is the right to be safe from crime. Do not presume to threaten states with accountability for a tough approach to crushing crime,” he added.