Hungarian foreign minister to visit Phl

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) said Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi will arrive in the Philippines today for an official visit.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Martonyi's visit is "historic" as it will be the first by a Hungarian foreign minister in the country. He will stay in the Philippines until Dec. 7.

Martonyi will meet with Philippine Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay and Commissioner Patricia Licuanan to discuss bilateral issues such as Hungary's cooperation in the typhoon recovery and rehabilitation program and partnership in higher education.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia will host a lunch for Martonyi where they will discuss the 40th anniversary of Philippines-Hungary relations, the re-opening of the Hungarian embassy here and "regional and international issues of common interest to the Philippines and Hungary."

The DFA said total trade between the Philippines and Hungary stood at $156.5 million in 2012.