The move will make it easier for Hungarians living in Scotland to keep in contact with Hungary, Szijjártó said after a summit between the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the 600 sqm consular office set to open in the heart of London will offer higher level services, the minister said.

Szijjártó said Hungarians living in the UK will be able cast their votes in the April 3 general election in London, Manchester or Edinburgh, adding that the polling places would operate with increased capacities this year so as to prevent long queues.

“We’ll have an increased presence in view of the number of Hungarians living, studying and working here as well as the increasingly active economic and trade relations,” he said.

Szijjártó emphasised the “strong strategic alliance and friendship” between Hungary and Britain, saying the two countries shared similar positions on a number of issues and valued national sovereignty. Hungary has profited immensely from its ties with the UK in the recent period, the minister said.

British businesses make up the sixth largest investor community in Hungary, employing roughly 60,000 people, he added.

Bilateral trade turnover came to around 5 billion euros last year, Szijjártó said, adding that Hungary’s export growth to the UK had contributed to its record export performance. Also, both countries rely heavily on nuclear energy for energy security, he said.


MTI photo: Tamás Vasvári