By
Hakeem Babalola
 |
Hungary has reiterated its
commitment to the development of Africa by the
continuous sharing
of its experience and know-how in different fields for the benefit of African
people in a mutual partnership rather than exploitation.
This
was disclosed by the Hungarian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Zsolt
Németh, at the celebration of Africa Day held at the historical Museum of Fine Arts
in Budapest.
Responding,
the Dean of African Ambassadors in Hungary,
Mr Joao Miguel Vahekeni, said that Africa definitely welcome Hungary’s constructive conversation to improve
intensive partnership in the development of Africa
as “we unite our forces to overcome our shortcomings and continue to rely on
our strength to create the right energy in order to succeed in today’s high
competitive world”.
Describing
Africa as a continent rich in natural resources, Németh hinted that the world
has changed its perspective about Africa from the context of poverty and
security risk to abundant wealth and energy resources which “the world needs
more than ever before”.
He
explained that the negative and recently positive views about the continent are
both understandable due to the fact that Africa
had faced many troubles in the past, but that the most important thing is the
development sweeping the place.
More
than that, the deputy Foreign Affairs Minister stated that Africa’s true wealth
is apparently in its people, adding that their lives, achievements, products, irreplaceable
values, cultural goods and treasures, all hold the path to our global heritage
and potential.
Meanwhile
Németh commended the Hungarian civil society and NGOs for their services and
work done so far, and enjoined them not to relent on their efforts by promoting
activities that would further cement economic, business and charity relations
between his country and Africa.
Vahekeni
described his continent as a place that offers enormous investment opportunity
and wonderful tourist attractions, adding that every celebration of Africa Day “reminds
us of the African people’s hard work to freedom”.
Consequently,
Németh who cracked jokes as he toured each country’s pavilion congratulated South Sudan on the achievement of its independence. In a
similar manner, he said the change going on in North
Africa is justified, for it is shaping the history of the
continent and probably the world at large.
As
part of the solidarity with the region, he told the gathering that his
colleague, Dr. János Martonyi has travelled several times to the continent as
the representative of the Hungarian current presidency of the Council of
European Union to listen, mediate and to transfer Hungary’s know-how.
Another
point disclosed at the event is the fact that reaching out to each other can
help overcome our differences and thereby contribute in building a new
framework and intensive cooperation leading to a more prosperous and visible
world for all of us.
Although
it was stressed that the Hungarian guiding foreign policy should be “every
European human being is responsible for every African human being” both men
agreed that the solution rests on Africans themselves.
Entertainment
was performed by Onix Jamsreel Band, El Saidi Dance, the legends, and the
Odyssey Africana who parody Africans’ journey to another land by boat.
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