Hungary opens consulate in Cebu
The honorary consulate of Hungary in Cebu opened its doors on May 16, providing a local connection between Hungary and the Visayas region.
The embassy of Hungary was reopened in March 2017, bridging a gap of more than 21 years since the closing of the embassy back in 1995. Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan was appointed as the new honorary consul.
During the absence of a resident diplomatic mission, the embassy of Hungary in Jakarta, Indonesia was accredited to the Philippines, and Honorary Consul-General of Hungary Alfonso Yuchengco III looked after the interests of Hungary and its citizens in Manila.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary visited the Philippines in March 2017 to reopen the embassy. The visit highlighted the growing importance of the Philippines and its potential for Hungary as a reliable partner in trade and investment, research and education, cultural and people to people exchanges.
Szijjártó signed several cooperation agreements, including an agreement on economic cooperation establishing the Philippines Hungary Joint Economic Commission. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez have both visited Hungary since the reopening of the embassy, proving that our bilateral relations are in continuous expansion.
The embassy of Hungary is led by Ambassador József Bencze, who previously served as ambassador to Skopje, Macedonia between 20112016 and was Hungary’s national chief of police between 2007-2010. Bencze presented his credentials to President Duterte on Dec. 6, 2016.
Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan will lead the honorary consulate in Cebu. Well known in local circles, the Cebuana businesswoman holds several managing director positions in real estate, construction, furniture and agricultural firms and eagerly participates in the bustling business and tourism activities of Cebu. The daughter of Consul ad honorem of Belgium Enrique Benedicto and niece of Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan carries on a long and distinguished family tradition of diplomatic and consular service.