Others involve a more active relationship, however, and Budapest attaches special importance to its cooperation with Bethlehem, he added. Budapest hopes to focus its cooperation with Bethlehem on classical culture, youth affairs, sport and heritage protection, he said.

Budapest’s goal with the agreement is not political, but rather to create the conditions for cooperation with “the iconic birthplace and spiritual roots of the Christian community”, he said, arguing that Europe’s classical culture needed to be protected.

Another aim is to bolster Budapest’s image and attract more and more tourists from Bethlehem to the Hungarian capital, he said. He praised the roles of Marie Antoinette Sedin, the former Palestinian ambassador to Hungary, and Csaba Rada, Hungary’s ambassador to Palestine, played in bringing together the pact between the two cities.

Salman told MTI after the signing that he plans on visiting Budapest next spring to get to know more about Hungarian culture.

Bethlehem wants to engage in cultural exchanges with its newfound Hungarian twin city, as well as a chance to promote itself to Hungarians and raise awareness of the challenges faced by Palestinians and the people of Bethlehem, he said.

MTI Photo: Kallos Bea