The Embassy of Hungary in the Philippines reopened last March 2017 after a 21-year hiatus. The Embassy and the Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Cebu mark the opening of the Consulate and the appointment of the new Honorary Consul, Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan, today.
The first Hungarian embassy was established sometime between 1991 and 1995. During the 21-year gap, the Embassy of Hungary in Jakarta was accredited to the Philippines, and Honorary Consul-General of Hungary Alfonso S. Yuchengco III looked after the interests of Hungary and its citizens in Manila.
H.E. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, visited the Philippines last year to reopen the embassy. His visit highlighted the growing importance of local connections and the potential of the Philippines as Hungary’s reliable partner in trade and investment, research, education, culture, and student exchange programs.
Minister Szijjártó signed a couple of cooperation agreements, one being an Agreement on Economic Cooperation building the Philippines-Hungary Joint Economic Commission. Secretary of Agriculture Emmanuel Pinol and Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez have visited Hungary since the Embassy’s reopening, proving that the mutual relations are off to a good start.
Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan led the Honorary Consulate in Cebu. Benedicto-Tan is a Cebuana businesswoman who is well known in local circles and holds several managing director positions in real estate, construction, and furniture and agricultural firms. She is the daughter of Consul ad honorem of Belgium Enrique L. Benedicto and the niece of Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto.
Header courtesy of Budapest Business Journal
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Writer: BEA LLAGAS
