The MoU was signed between the Egyptian Agricultural Quarantine and the Hungarian National Food Chain Safety Office.    

The signing took place during Shoukry’s visit to Budapest, which aims to boost relations between the two countries and coincides with the celebration of 95 years of diplomatic relations.

"Shoukry's visit comes within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries and aims to build on successful reciprocal visits, especially the recent visit which the prime minister of Hungary made to Egypt in February-March this year, in which the Egyptian president received him," according to a statement by  Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid.

During his visit, Shoukry discussed with the Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto ways to address the impact of global economic challenges on both countries through promoting economic cooperation and trade exchange and by sharing expertise.

For his part, Szijjarto expressed his country's aspiration to enhance cooperation with Egypt in the cultural field. He noted that there were 200 university scholarships available in Hungary for Egyptian students, adding that these scholarships contribute to strengthening cultural relations between the two states.

The ministers also discussed several regional and international issues of mutual interest, most notably the Palestinian issue. Shoukry stressed the need for a just solution, stressing the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Moreover, the two foreign ministers discussed the situation in Libya and the regional and international implications of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. They also discussed the developments of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and its impact on the global economy.   

Shoukry also emphasized Egypt's efforts in hosting millions of refugees and migrants.

“Egypt deals with this situation by providing humanitarian assistance, integrating refugees and migrants into society, and preventing them from taking the risk of crossing the sea to Europe,” the statement quoted Shoukry as saying.

He noted, however, that Egypt needs more support from the international community, especially the EU, to reduce the burden and costs associated with hosting and providing for large refugee populations.

Egypt and Hungary have developed a close relationship in recent years. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi travelled to Budapest twice, on July 2017 and October 2021, to attend the Visegrad Group summit, in which he discussed issues related to terrorism and irregular migration.

They also have strong economic ties, with trade between the two countries reaching $400 million in 2021, according to a report from the Hungarian foreign ministry last year.