Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said in Tokyo on Wednesday that Hungary and Japan have sealed an agreement on nuclear industrial cooperation aimed at ensuring that nuclear energy remains a key part of both countries' energy policies.
Following talks with the Japanese minister of economy, agriculture and foreign affairs, Minister Szijjártó said the purpose of the deal is to ensure both countries continue to enjoy “cheap, safe and environmentally friendly” energy production. Minister Szijjártó also called for “rational international discussions on nuclear energy based on common sense, free from “ideological, emotional attacks” against the nuclear industry. Meanwhile, the minister said Hungary supports NATO cooperation with countries of the Pacific region as well as closer NATO-Japan ties. He noted that he met leaders of several companies and the Japan Business Association (Keidanren). Japanese companies are the seventh largest investors in Hungary, he added. Japanese companies in the food, car and electronics industries have highly praised operating conditions in Hungary, he said. Hungarian exports to Japan were worth a record 940 million US dollars last year, he noted, adding that a 30% annual increase is expected this year. Hungary will soon open a consular mission in Osaka, he noted.