Kenya is yet to establish an embassy in Budapest, Hungary, due to lack of finances.
Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday during an official visit to Hungary said while the cabinet had approved the opening of the embassy, lack of budgetary allocations had inhibited the process.
“President William Ruto had agreed to the opening of the embassy in Budapest, and the Cabinet has already approved. What we are waiting for is budgetary allocation to kick-start the process,” Mudavadi said during a joint press briefing.
The PCS reiterated the point during his talks with President Tamas Sulyok
“I also conveyed President William Ruto ‘s commitment to opening a Kenyan embassy in Budapest, a move already approved by the cabinet and awaiting budgetary allocation,” he said on X.
Hungary was the sixth country to establish an embassy in Kenya in 1963. Kenya has not had diplomatic representation in Budapest, and has only been represented by envoys resident in Vienna.
“Our countries share a long-standing relationship that dates back to when our country gained independence in 1963. Hungary was the 6th country to establish a mission in Nairobi in 1964, demonstrating the desire for strong cooperation,” Mudavadi said.
Kenya Ambassador to Hungary and resident in Vienna, Austria, Maurice Makoloo presented his credentials on March 6 ahead of Mudavadi’s visit.
Ambassador Makoloo presented his letter of credence to Hungary President Dr. Tamás Sulyok, becoming the fourth Kenyan envoy to be accredited to the Central European country.
Mudavadi, however, said Kenya remains committed to enhancing diplomatic relations with Hungary.
“It is for this reason he noted that Kenya was committed to establishing a resident diplomatic mission in Budapest in the near future to give impetus to the already existing diplomatic ties,” he said.
MUTUAL VISITS
He noted that Kenya and Hungary, through the mutual visits, have exchanged views on how to strengthen and consolidate the existing diplomatic relations.
Former Hungary President janos Ader visited Kenya on January 16, 2022 for a four-day state visit and was hosted by then President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Áder became the first Hungarian President to visit Kenya since independence.
The President’s visit was followed by others that include by Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament László Kövér in March 2023 and the Minister for Agriculture of Hungary in March 2024.
The proposal to open an embassy in Budapest was made during President Kenyatta’s administration.
In bid to deepen diplomatic relations, President Uhuru announced plans to establish an embassy in Budapest “to increase its [Kenya’s] presence in Europe”.
“It is our desire to have a greater presence in Central and Eastern Europe, and I’m glad to announce today that Kenya is ready to establish a diplomatic mission in Budapest at the earliest opportunity,” Uhuru said at the time.
Following the meeting with the Hungarian Speakerin March 2023, President Ruto directed the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to open an embassy in Budapest in a year or two.
Ruto said the embassy would help enhance the relations between the two states.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei earlier told DiploBrief that the embassy could perhaps be opened at the end of the year as budget cuts slowed the process down.
MULTILATERAL AND TRADE COOPERATION
On the multilateral front, Mudavadi said the two sides agreed to work together within the auspices of the United Nations to address the global dialogue in financing for development, promotion of inclusivity and equality, as well as teaming up to achieve the SDGs.
“I had the opportunity to seek Hungary’s support in championing for a fair and just multilateral system with a more inclusive global financing architecture,” said Mudavadi.
Szijjártó said they had agreed to work together within the available instruments of the international organizations to secure a peaceful future for those areas in the respective continents facing conflict and instability.
“Hungary and Kenya continue to urge all aggrieved parties to give a chance to diplomacy and dialogue as an alternate method for settlement of disputes,” said Szijjártó.
On trade, the Minister said they had resolved to promote greater linkages between private sectors and business communities of the two countries.
This, he said, would enhance the momentum in establishing trade partnership between the two business communities.
“We have agreed to hold the next session of the Joint Trade and Economic Committee (JTEC) between our two countries before the end of this year.
“We have further agreed to expedite the conclusion of negotiations on the Agreement on Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment between our countries and begin negotiations of an Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation,” said Mudavadi.
