House Speaker László Kövér has held talks with Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, in Budapest.

The meeting coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Hungary and Pakistan, the office told MTI, adding that it also highlighted the "traditional friendly relationship" between the two countries.

At the talks, Kövér said Hungary considered Pakistan a key player in South Asia, which he called "the world’s most dynamically growing region". Hungary, he added, was convinced that Pakistan, a country of 250 million people and a fast-growing economy, would continue to strengthen both in the region and the international community.

Kövér added that Pakistan’s non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council demonstrated the country’s growing influence. He expressed Hungary’s appreciation of Pakistan’s contribution to the UN’s efforts, particularly its peacekeeping missions. Hungary, he added, was also aware of Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration.

Kövér expressed hope that Wednesday’s meeting would allow Hungary and Pakistan to use parliamentary diplomacy as a means to support their intergovernmental cooperation, which had been given momentum by a recent meeting of the two countries’ foreign ministers and a joint economic committee.

Sadiq thanked Kövér for Hungary’s offer of university scholarships to 1,500 Pakistani students each year, emphasising the over-application for places in Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum programme. The scheme funds the studies of 400 Pakistani students each year since 2023, the statement said.

The two speakers were in agreement that they also wanted to strengthen their cooperation in addressing global challenges and taking joint action at international forums.

Sadiq invited Kövér for an official visit to Pakistan, which the Hungarian speaker accepted, the statement said.